Heatwave Safety for the Elderly
The summer months bring sunshine, BBQs and long days spent enjoying the outdoors. However, when temperatures soar, it’s important to take care to stay safe in the heat. While we can all feel the effects of a heatwave, it’s particularly important to look out for our elderly loved ones.

As we age, our bodies become less able to regulate temperature, meaning we’re more prone to heat exhaustion and heatstroke. With this in mind, here are some top tips for helping your elderly loved ones stay safe in the heat during a heatwave.

Hydration is Key
Staying hydrated is always important, but it’s particularly crucial during a heatwave. Encourage your elderly loved ones to drink regularly, even if they don’t feel thirsty.
• Make sure they have plenty of water available, at least 6-8 cups per day
• Offer icy cold drinks like smoothies or homemade ice-lollies to make it more pleasant to drink

Keep Cool
When temperatures soar, it’s important to keep cool. Encourage your elderly loved ones to:
• Stay indoors between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest
• Keep windows and doors closed during the day, and open them at night to let cool air in
• Use a fan to circulate air (in extreme circumstances use air conditioning)
• Wear light, breathable clothing
• Take cool baths or showers

Check up on them regularly
If you have elderly relatives or neighbours, take the time to check up on them regularly during a heatwave, either in person or over the phone. This can be particularly important for those who live alone, or who are more vulnerable.
• Check in on them once in the morning and once in the evening
• Encourage them to call you if they feel unwell
• Keep an eye out for symptoms of heat exhaustion or heatstroke

Know the Symptoms
Heatstroke can be life-threatening, so knowing its symptoms is crucial. Watch out for:
• Headaches
• Dizziness and confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Muscle cramps
• Dark urine

If you spot these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to act fast:
• Move to a cool place and rest
• Drink plenty of water
• Use a fan or cold compresses to cool down
• Seek medical help if symptoms don’t improve

Stay Safe in the Sun
While it’s important to get some sun for vitamin D, it’s equally important to stay safe in it. Encourage your elderly loved ones to:
• Wear a hat and loose, light clothing
• Use suncream with a high SPF
• Stay in the shade where possible
• Wear sunglasses to protect their eyes

To conclude, heatwaves can be dangerous for everyone, but particularly for the elderly. By taking some simple steps to stay cool, hydrated, and safe in the sun, we can help our elderly loved ones see out the summer in comfort.
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Health and Wellness in later life
As people age, their health needs evolve and they face different health concerns than they did in their youth. However, it’s never too late to prioritize your health and make positive changes to your lifestyle. In this blog, we’ll share tips for staying healthy and active in later life, as well as resources for managing chronic conditions and accessing care.

First and foremost, staying active is crucial to overall health and longevity. Regular exercise can help manage weight, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. It can also improve cognitive function and mental health.

But the thought of incorporating exercise into your daily routine can be daunting. Fortunately, there are many options that are comfortable and accessible for seniors. Some great low-impact exercises include walking, yoga, swimming, and tai chi.

Walking is one of the easiest ways to stay active and can be done almost anywhere. It’s important to invest in comfortable walking shoes and to start out slowly, gradually increasing the distance and difficulty of your walks.

Yoga is a gentle, relaxing exercise that can be practiced at your own pace and scaled to your physical abilities. It incorporates stretching and strengthening exercises, which are great for maintaining flexibility and mobility.

Swimming is a low-impact exercise that can help build strength and endurance. It’s also a great option for individuals with arthritis or joint pain, as it reduces stress on these areas.

Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that utilizes slow, flowing movements, which can improve coordination and balance. It’s also known to reduce stress and improve mental health.

In addition to staying active, maintaining a healthy diet is just as crucial. As we age, our nutrient needs change, and it becomes important to consume nutrient-dense foods that can promote optimal health. Some essential nutrients for seniors include protein, fiber, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Protein is important for maintaining muscle mass, which can help prevent falls and injury. Good sources of protein for seniors include lean meats, fish, beans, and eggs.

Fiber can help regulate digestion and prevent colon cancer. Foods high in fiber include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Calcium and vitamin D are important for maintaining bone health and preventing fractures. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, as well as leafy greens such as kale and spinach, are all excellent sources of calcium. The best source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight, but it can also be found in fortified foods such as milk and cereal.

Vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining energy levels and cognitive function. Good dietary sources of vitamin B12 include meat, eggs, and dairy products.

It’s also important to stay on top of chronic conditions that may develop as we age. Age-related conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease can have serious health consequences if not managed properly. Seniors should be proactive in managing their health by attending regular check-ups with their healthcare providers and monitoring their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.

There are also a variety of resources available to seniors who may need extra support managing their health. For people living alone or at risk of falling you should ensure you have a good personal alarm such as a panic alarm watch or a fall alarm for seniors like the SOS watch from WatchOvers.com

In conclusion, staying healthy and active in later life is essential to maintaining a high quality of life. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and proactive management of chronic conditions can all help seniors live longer, more fulfilling lives. It’s important to take advantage of the resources available and to stay engaged in the community to ensure optimal health and well-being.

Keeping your Elderly Loved One Safe at Home

Introduction

As you get older, it's important to stay safe at home. The risks of falling or becoming ill are greater for seniors than they were when we were younger. If you live alone and have little or no family nearby, this can be especially challenging. You may not realise how much help is available in your community until you start asking questions and talking with people who care about you.

Our WatchOvers blog will give an overview of the types of risks that elderly people face and why it's so important to keep them safe at home as they age.

Maintaining Home Safety

• Check for trip and fall hazards. Make sure that the home is well lit, and consider installing grab bars in the bathroom and kitchen.
• Install assistive devices such as ramps, handrails and other devices to help people with mobility issues get around the house safely.
• Provide an SOS personal emergency alarm, do not wait until an accident happens as it could be too late.

Monitoring for Signs of Illness

• Watch for changes in behaviour.
• Monitor for signs of dehydration or malnutrition.
• Check for signs of depression, which can be a sign that something is wrong with your loved one's health and they may not feel well enough to ask for help.

Staying Connected with Family and Friends

• Encourage elderly to maintain social relationships with family and friends.
• Help elderly stay in touch with family and friends by arranging visits or phone calls, especially if they live alone.
• Encourage the use of technology such as Skype, Facetime or similar services so that they can keep in touch with loved ones from a distance.

Adapting the Home Environment

• Make the home environment easier to navigate.
• Provide adaptive equipment and technology where required. Remember to review their needs on a regular basis.
• Create a safe and secure home environment.

Assistance with Grooming and Hygiene

• Assistance with bathing and dressing.
• Help with personal hygiene and grooming.
• Provide reminders to brush teeth and wash hands – personal alarms can provide these reminders

Managing Medications

• Create a medication schedule.
• Help with pill reminders – personal alarm devices can provide these reminders.
• Keep medications out of reach of children and pets, who may mistake them for sweets or food if they're not stored properly!

Encouraging Exercise and Activity

Encouraging elderly to engage in regular physical activity is an important part of keeping them safe at home. It can be difficult for older adults to find activities that they enjoy, but it's worth the effort. If you know of any family members who might be interested in helping out, ask them if they would like to join your loved one on their morning walk.

Conclusion

So how can you help your elderly loved ones stay safe at home?

• Be aware of the risks and take action to prevent them.
• Keep in mind that there are many resources available to help the elderly live independently, such as personal alarms for the elderly, home care services, adult day care centres and senior living communities.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with caring for an elderly loved one or would like more information about our SOS personal alarms, please got to www.watchovers.com