Things to Consider When Moving in the Heat to Assisted Living
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The heat is on. The temperatures are maxing out across the country. We are now near July with August soon to be on its heels. It’s essential to make sure our elderly loved ones are safe during these summer months and even for somebody who is planning to move into assisted living, there can be easily overlooked risks.
Heat exhaustion.
Assisted Living Five Forks SC – Things to Consider When Moving in the Heat to Assisted Living
This is one of the greatest risks for people of any age during the hottest months of the year. It may seem easy enough to drink more water when you sweat excessively, but heat exhaustion can happen even if a person is not doing a great deal of heavy lifting.
This aging senior may wish to participate and help with the move, but if the temperatures are exceedingly high, they should be encouraged to sit in a cooler environment, such as their air-conditioned house, at least to cool off.
If an aging senior isn’t going to help with moving any items because of their age, health issues, and other factors, it’s still important to pay attention to their current condition as most likely the doors will be opened, allowing cool air to slip out and hot air to move in.
That lack of air conditioning can be critical.
Some people have grown accustomed to high heat and humidity, especially if they live in southern climates. However, seniors may not have the same ability to keep cool as they once did.
As people get older, their body changes. They may not sweat as much or as efficiently as they once did, which is the body’s way of trying to stay cool. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the air temperature, stay on top of potential symptoms, and get that senior in a place that is not too hot and humid while they wait to actually head to their new assisted living home.
Anxiety about moving to an assisted living facility can cause difficulty, too.
A person who is anxious, stressed, and worried may experience a higher heart rate and blood pressure. As a result, their body might not stay as cool as they would otherwise.
This move, while a wonderful decision, can cause stress and anxiety. Moving is one of the top stressors in life. Pay attention to how a person is handling this move and if you recognize stress and anxiety, encourage them to sit down and relax, drink more water, and avoid excessive heat outside while they are making this transition.
