If you’re reading this blog, congratulations. It means you successfully made it through another Daylight Savings time change. (If you’re still reeling from the lost sleep, read our Daylight Savings survival guide here).
While losing an hour of sleep is never fun, the arrival of the time change marks the official countdown until Spring begins. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have had several sunny days recently and it makes us that much more excited for Spring.
If you’re like us, you and your elderly loved one probably can’t wait to get outside for some fun outdoor activities. But, before you Spring into Action, we urge you to continue reading to learn 9 ways to ensure your senior has a fun and safe Spring.
Ease into Activity
We know that after a long Winter, all you want to do is jump right into your favorite outdoor activity, but you shouldn’t. You see, after months of inactivity, our bodies need to be eased back into it to ensure we don’t injure ourselves. If your senior loved one suffers from OA, like more than 30 million Americans do, it will be even more critical to help them slowly ease into activity to reduce their pain and remind their joints of what they’re supposed to do.
Get a Checkup
Visiting the doctor’s office isn’t fun, but seasonal checkups help ensure you are staying healthy and will allow you to catch health problems before they get out of control. Not to mention, after being inactive during the Winter your elderly loved one should get cleared by a physician before partaking in physical activity.
Stay Hydrated
When you are busy having fun and enjoying the sun it can be hard to remember to stay hydrated. During this time, it is critical to make sure your loved one is drinking enough. To do this, we recommend providing your senior with an easy-to-carry water bottle and setting a smartphone alarm to remind them to drink often.
Dress in Layers
Spring weather can change at a moment’s notice. One minute it is sunny, the next minute it is pouring down rain. To avoid being caught off-guard, make sure your senior dresses in layers. This way they can enjoy the sun and protect themselves from getting drenched in a shower.
Be Ready for Allergy Flare-ups
All the new plants and growth in Spring are beautiful, but those of us with allergies pay for them dearly. Before you and your senior loved one head out for a much-needed outdoor excursion make sure you are stocked up with the proper allergy medication. You will also want to make sure the allergy medicine will not negatively react with any of your senior’s other medications.
Watch Your Step
Winter isn’t just tough on us; it can be tough on pathways too. As your senior ventures outside for a nice walk in the sun, make sure they are wary of slick or uneven paths. We also recommend investing in proper fitting shoes to reduce the risk of a slip, trip, or fall when they are walking.
Practice Garden Safety
Not only is gardening a great Spring activity, it is also a great way for Seniors to reduce stress and enjoy the outdoors. Before your senior breaks ground on their Spring Garden make sure they are set up with the right tools. Using ergonomically designed tools will help reduce their risk of injury. For more on spring gardening check out our Benefits of Spring Gardening blog here: https://wisercareservices.com/blog/the-benefits-of-gardening/ .
Sun Safety
We blog often about Sun safety, and we can’t say it too much. Protect your senior from the harmful rays of the Sun. Even on a cloudy day, your senior still remains at risk of dangerous sun exposure. We recommend using sunscreen with an appropriate amount of SPF as well as a hat. To further protect them, consider starting activities earlier in the day before the sun is out with its full force.
Bzzzz Bzzzz. Watch for Bugs.
The arrival of the sun and warm weather is bittersweet. While we love the sun, we HATE insects. A bug bite is never fun and could turn perilous quickly. Make sure your senior is dressed appropriately and is using insect repellant. If coming into contact with a tick is possible, make sure they are wearing long sleeves and pants. They should also tuck their pants into their socks.
We hope these tips help keep your senior safe as they venture outdoors this Spring. As always, if you care for an elderly loved one and would like help developing a care plan of any kind, please feel free to contact us. We can help your family establish a care plan to personally accommodate your loved one’s needs.
Click here to request your free care assessment.