Summer Safety Tips

Summer Safety Tips

            Summer provides wonderful opportunities for families to create meaningful moments with loved ones diagnosed with dementia.  Enjoying gardens, family cookouts, or holiday celebrations are fantastic ways to reminisce with your loved one.

      There are a few safety tips to remember.

1. Be sure to use sun block.  As a person ages, their skin becomes thinner and will burn more easily.  Also many medications can cause a person to burn more easily the longer they are in the sun. 
2. Provide plenty of beverages.  Dehydration can be a serious issue for aging seniors.  Someone with dementia may not realize they are thirsty or overheating.
3.  Sit under a shaded area.  This will also help prevent sunburn or over exposure to the sun. 
4. Avoid areas where the side walk is uneven or has broken concrete.  A person with an unsteady gait may be more likely to fall if the pavement is not smooth. 
5. Utilize courtyards or fenced in yards to avoid wandering.  Wandering can become a serious problem in the heat of summer.

Remember, spending time outdoors is an important part of an aging persons daily routine.  Practicing good safety tips will ensure that everyone has a great time without stress.