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[INFOGRAPHIC] 6 Tips for Senior Sun Safety

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Griswold Home Care
Griswold Home Care

We’ve all heard that protecting skin from the sun will help prevent it from aging. But if you’re already older, is there any point to worrying about sun damage? Since the skin becomes more delicate and vulnerable as we age, that means that it’s more important than ever for older adults to protect their skin from damage caused by the sun. Older adults need to take special precautions to limit their sun exposure as much as possible.

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6 Tips for Senior Sun Safety Summer weather is great for relaxing with family and friends. Being outside for pool parties, barbecues, and beach trips are what make summertime so much fun. Too much outdoor time, however, can lead to problems like sunburn and dehydration in elderly populations who are especially at risk for these hot-weather woes. But by taking a few precautions, problems like sunburn and dehydration in the elderly can be avoided and seniors will be able to get the most out of long summer days. Drink plenty of fluids. Apply sunscreen early and often.Wear the right clothing. Stay indoors at the hottest hours. Wear eye protection. Check your medications. WARNING: Knowing the signs of heat stroke can save a senior’s life. A flushed face, high body temperature, headache, nausea, rapid pulse, dizziness and lack of sweating despite the heat are signs that immediate action should be taken. Drinking water, a cool ice pack to the back of the neck, and removal of the sun is a must at the earliest signs of these symptoms. Seniors are less likely to feel thirsty, and dehydration can come on quickly and be dangerous. Try to drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day, and increase your intake if you’re doing any kind of physical activity, or if the weather is particularly hot. Sunscreen takes time to work, so don’t wait until you’re poolside. Try to apply sunscreen about an hour before you head outside, and reapply every two hours. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. The best summertime clothing for seniors is lightweight and made out of a breathable fabric such as cotton. Shirts should be long-sleeved, and seniors should wear wide-brimmed hats to protect from the sun. The sun is most intense during the middle of the day. If you’re a tennis player or gardener, it’s best to keep these activities to the early morning or evening, when the weather is cooler. Try to stay indoors when the sun is at its peak. Seniors have very sensitive eyes. Wearing sunglasses can help reduce the cumulative damage that causes eye problems such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration in seniors. Wrap-around styles that protect from both UVA and UVB radiation are best. Some medications can cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Look over your medications, and talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions you have.

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[INFOGRAPHIC] 6 Tips for Senior Sun Safety

  • 1. 6 Tips for Senior Sun Safety Summer weather is great for relaxing with family and friends. Being outside for pool parties, barbecues, and beach trips are what make summertime so much fun. Too much outdoor time, however, can lead to problems like sunburn and dehydration in elderly populations who are especially at risk for these hot-weather woes. But by taking a few precautions, problems like sunburn and dehydration in the elderly can be avoided and seniors will be able to get the most out of long summer days. Drink plenty of fluids. Apply sunscreen early and often.Wear the right clothing. Stay indoors at the hottest hours. Wear eye protection. Check your medications. WARNING: Knowing the signs of heat stroke can save a senior’s life. A flushed face, high body temperature, headache, nausea, rapid pulse, dizziness and lack of sweating despite the heat are signs that immediate action should be taken. Drinking water, a cool ice pack to the back of the neck, and removal of the sun is a must at the earliest signs of these symptoms. Seniors are less likely to feel thirsty, and dehydration can come on quickly and be dangerous. Try to drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day, and increase your intake if you’re doing any kind of physical activity, or if the weather is particularly hot. Sunscreen takes time to work, so don’t wait until you’re poolside. Try to apply sunscreen about an hour before you head outside, and reapply every two hours. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. The best summertime clothing for seniors is lightweight and made out of a breathable fabric such as cotton. Shirts should be long-sleeved, and seniors should wear wide-brimmed hats to protect from the sun. The sun is most intense during the middle of the day. If you’re a tennis player or gardener, it’s best to keep these activities to the early morning or evening, when the weather is cooler. Try to stay indoors when the sun is at its peak. Seniors have very sensitive eyes. Wearing sunglasses can help reduce the cumulative damage that causes eye problems such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration in seniors. Wrap-around styles that protect from both UVA and UVB radiation are best. Some medications can cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Look over your medications, and talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions you have.