Five Tips for Better Sun Safety

Summer is winding down but UV rays and heat may still pose a threat for seniors.  Below are five precautionary steps seniors can take to improve their safety during the remainder of the warmer summer temperatures.  

1.  Stay hydrated.  Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day.  By the time you feel thirsty, your body is already dehydrated.  For seniors, the feeling of thirst decreases with age so be sure to increase your water intake with prolonged physical activity.  

2.  Use your air conditioning.  Some seniors are hesitant to turn on their AC because of the increased coat but your health is worth it.  During a heat wave, if you don't have AC, spend time at locations with AC like a senior center or movie theater.  

3.  Be an early bird or night owl.  The sun and heat are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.  Limit your outdoor activity to early morning and/or late evening when temperature are not as high.  

4.  Know your medications.  many seniors use medications daily.  Some medications can cause side effects, like increased sensitivity to UV rays.  Review all medications and check with your pharmacist with questions.  

5.  Wear sunscreen.  Sunscreen helps prevent sunburns.  Look for a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays, and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater.  

Enjoy the rest of your summer and stay safe while doing it!  

Understanding Congestive Heart Failure

February is American Heart Month!  Make a difference in your community by helping raise awareness about heart disease and encourage people to live heart healthy lives.  

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) affects nearly 6 million Americans and is the leading cauise of hospitalization in people 65 and older.  

What is Heart Failure?  

Heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working.  It means that your heart can't pump enough blood (oxygen and nutrients) to meet your body's needs.  The chambers of the heart may respond by stretching to hold more blood or by becoming stiff and thickened, but eventually the heart muscle walls weaken.  As a result, the kidneys respond by causing the body to retain fluid (water) and salt.  When fluid builds up in the arms, legs, ankles, feet, lungs or other organs, the body becomes congested, and congestive heart failure (CHF) is the term used to describe the condition.  

Signs and symptoms of heart failure are: 
Shortness of breath or trouble braething
Fatigue (tiredness) 
Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, and veins in the neck 

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, when symptoms start, you may feel tired and short of breath after a routine physical effort, like climbing stairs.  As your heart grows weaker, symptoms get worse.  You may begin to feel tired and short of breath after getting dressed or walking across the room.  Some people have shortness of breath while lying flat.  Fluid buildup from heart failure also causes weight gain, frequent urination, and a cough that's worse at night and when you're lying down.  The cough may be a sign of acute pulmonary edema, a condition in which too much fluid builds up in your lungs which requires emergency treatment.  

Common causes of CHF include:  

Coronary Artery Disease 
High Blood Pressure 
Thyroid Disease 
Heart Valve Disease 
Kidney Disease 
Diabetes 
Congenital Heart Defects 

Fortunately, heart failure can be treated.  Seeing your doctor regularly, taking your medication as prescribed and following a heart healthy diet and exercise program can help you successfully manage heart failure.  

Aging In Full Bloom - The Best Part of Caregiving

Here is our most recent podcast...The Best Part of Being a Caregiver.  Let us know what you think.  

Listen here!