How Can You Help Your Senior Celebrate AC Appreciation Days?
From July 3rd through August 15th, you can celebrate AC Appreciation Days with your aging family member. With the temperatures creeping ever higher every summer, finding ways to keep your senior cool and comfortable may feel like it’s getting more difficult. Here are some ideas for celebrating summer and avoiding overheating at the same time.
Talk to Your Senior about Heat-related Complications
Senior Care Fairfax, VA: AC Appreciation Days
Some medications can leave your elderly family member more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. There are also other factors to consider, such as your senior possibly experiencing hot weather differently than she used to. Talk to your elderly family member about what to expect from the hotter weather this year and about what she may need to be aware of around heat-related illnesses. Senior care at home can also help your elderly family member to stay aware of how she’s feeling.
Get Her AC Serviced
Air conditioners need a bit of TLC in order to keep functioning the way they’re supposed to function. They need the filters replaced regularly and servicing periodically. It can be a good idea to set up air conditioner servicing for your elderly family member. That keeps her from having to worry about how to keep up with her air conditioner’s needs on her own.
Work to Keep the House Cooler
There are some other things you can do to keep the house cooler, as well, and these solutions can also help the air conditioner to work more efficiently. Keeping the curtains closed on the sunny side of the house keeps heat from invading the house, too. Blackout curtains can also be a good idea if your senior’s home gets full sunlight for several hours every day. Avoiding creating heat inside is another solid solution. Running the dryer in the morning or evening is one way to do this.
Set up a Summer-friendly Diet
Another way to avoid creating heat in the house is to choose summer eating options that don’t rely on an oven. Small appliances like a microwave, toaster oven, and air fryer all allow your senior to eat warm food without heating up the house too much. Home care providers can help your elderly family member to eat a healthy, tasty diet that is also friendly for hot weather.
Line up Some Extra Help
In general, senior care at home can help in lots of other ways during hot weather, too. Staying properly hydrated and wearing the right clothes for the weather conditions are just two of the ways they can help. Caregivers can also stay alert for signs that your senior might be experiencing the beginning stages of heat-related illnesses.
If your elderly family member is reluctant to use the air conditioner, help from elder care providers may also be beneficial in making sure she doesn’t accidentally get too warm without realizing it. Staying cooler in the heat can be a challenge when the temperatures get really high, especially for older adults, so it’s important to have a plan in place for your senior.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Senior Care in Fairfax, VA please contact the caring staff at Thrive Health Care Services today. (703) 992-0484