After a long winter and a wet spring, the allure of the incoming summer months is strong. Summer marks the time of year when many of us spend more time outdoors, explore our communities and bask in the abundant sunshine.
While the sunny weather and warm temperatures offer plenty of excitement and vitamin D, it’s important for aging adults to keep a close eye on their health during the hottest part of the year, too.
Let’s discuss strategies older adults can use to stay healthy during the summer, and how senior living communities like Newcastle Place can make residents’ summers safer and more fun.
Essential Summer Health and Safety Tips
For seniors, the summer heat presents unique health challenges that require special attention. The normal risks of sunburn, heat stroke and dehydration are elevated for aging adults. Use these tips to stay safe and healthy all summer long.
Sunscreen and Sunglasses Offer Necessary Protection
No matter how many times you’ve heard it, it always bears repeating: wear your sunscreen! Apply at least SPF 30 every time you’re outside, even on cloudy or overcast days, and reapply after water activities or every 90 minutes. This might seem like overkill, but the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays can do serious damage in a short amount of time.
Also make sure your sunscreen is within its “best by” date, because the active ingredient in sunscreen can deteriorate over time, making expired bottles ineffective at protecting your skin.
Just like your skin needs protection from the summer sun, so do your eyes. Eyesight is commonly on the decline for aging adults, and sun exposure only accelerates this issue. Wear a pair of polarized sunglasses on outdoor excursions to protect your eyes from sun damage and excessive strain.
Upgrade Your Wardrobe
Swap out your sweaters and jeans for clothes made of soft cotton material, skirts, shorts and breezy blouses. Choose clothing with sweat-wicking material for outdoor exercise and focus on wearing lighter colors that absorb less light than their darker counterparts.
Hydrate and Choose Fresh Produce
While a healthy and well-balanced diet is always important, seniors can make the most of the nutrient-rich landscape summer by visiting local farmer’s markets. Local produce offers unique variety and nutrient-dense options for the pantry that are crisper and fresher than most grocery store options.
As the mercury rises, your water intake should rise, too. Proper hydration is important at any stage in life, but it becomes even more critical for older adults to support healthy digestion and proper organ function. As you increase your water intake, consider cutting back on dehydrating beverages that contain alcohol or caffeine, as they can have a diuretic effect.
Choose Low Impact, Indoor Exercises
Exercise is an important part of staying healthy year round, but during the heat of the summer, getting your workouts in safely requires extra diligence.
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion occur most frequently when individuals workout during the hottest part of the day (mid-afternoon). Try moving your workout time to the morning when temperatures are cooler, incorporating swimming into your routine or taking your exercise indoors to an air-conditioned environment during the summer months.
Or, instead of relying on vigorous workouts, try a low impact exercise such as an early evening walk on a beautiful trail or a nice picnic on your apartment’s patio or porch.
How Newcastle Place Helps Seniors Stay Healthy
In the heart of the heartland, Newcastle Place offers Wisconsin retirees a stylish and vibrant environment in which to make the most of every season, summer included. We offer a robust wellness program and many wellness-focused amenities that make prioritizing your health simple and straightforward.
Newcastle Place residents have access to:
- Walking trails with beautiful nature views
- Massage therapy
- Aquatic, spa, and wellness center with heated pool
- Three Dining centers with a variety of well-balanced meals
- Training with a National Institute of Fitness and Sports (NIFS) instructor to create a plan specifically tailored to your ability level, experience level, and goals
- Access to our Health Care Navigator and comprehensive health care options
And much more. If you’re looking to transition to a new community this summer, Newcastle Place is an exceptional senior living destination to consider.
Contact us or schedule a tour to see what your life at Newcastle Place could look like.
