Page 12 - Senior Times South Central Michigan July 2022 - 29-07

Page 12 Senior Times - July 2022
200 West Michigan Avenue Suite 102 Battle Creek, MI 49017
carewellservices.org
Kinship Korner
6 Tips to Help You Stay Cool Indoors
CareWell’s Active Daily Living Newsletter
Family Enrichment Center Regional Resource 3 Team 415 S. 28th Street Battle Creek, MI 49015
Sharon Dewey
Foster Care Navigator Email: SDewey@fecfamily.com
Ph: (269) 660-0448
Fx: (269) 963-0160 www.Fecfamily.com
It is now mid-summer. How did that happen? I hope you enjoy the Fourth of July holidays. It’s a great time to spend with family in the out-of-doors.
I have written about the train- ings and support groups the FEC is offering through out the sum- mer and fall. These are on-
going but not finalized as of this printing. Please go to FECfamily. com on the web, and Facebook at Family Enrichment Center to find trainings and groups listed.
Consider the many parks and beaches we have in Calhoun County along the rivers and at the lakes. Fishing, swimming, kayaking, picnicking, trails, and playgrounds are all available for family fun at little or no cost to our families.
We will soon have Binder Park Zoo tickets available on a first come, first serve basis. We are giving State Park Passes for the summer and have passes for Frederick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids.
Remember the Family Enrichment Center is here to help all Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families in this area. Please call if you need help with food, gas, or clothes. We under- stand the difficulties of provid- ing for children on a limited or fixed income. Please call Sharon Dewey at (269) 274-4077 for help with any necessities.
Family Enrichment Center
Most people know to be careful about the heat when heading outside on a hot day,
but it’s just as important to stay cool indoors, especially for older adults. According to the CDC, people aged 65 and older are
at an increased risk for heat- related health problems such
as heat stress and exhaustion. Certain chronic health conditions and medications can affect
body temperature and sweat production, making it hard for the body to naturally cool down. Even if a loved one’s home is
air conditioned, they may still overheat depending on their level of activity and how well the house is able to hold the cooler temperatures.
help keep your loved one from getting overheated. On hot days, make sure they have loose fitting clothing options in natural fabrics like cotton and linen. Indoor weather can sometimes get chilly thanks to air conditioning, so it can help to provide your loved one with an easy to remove shawl or sweater if they get cold.
While air-conditioning and fans are running, close the windows and doors to rooms not being used to trap the cool air in the rooms your loved one is using. To keep the house extra cool, block cracks under doors with towels
body temperature when they
feel overheated. The compress should first be applied to their wrists, neck or temples to help quickly distribute the temperature lowering effects to the rest of
Here are some ways you can help your loved one keep cool at home:
or insulation strips. If the house has a lot of windows, sunlight streaming inside can raise the temperatures indoors, so be sure to use shades or curtains when necessary.
Limit movement. Exercise
is important for older adults,
but on extremely hot days, demanding activities should be limited wherever possible to avoid dizziness and exhaustion. If it’s necessary for your loved one to do a lot of moving about the house during a hot day, they should cool their bodies back down with cold compresses, or a cool shower or bath.
like coffee, hot tea, caffeinated beverages and alcohol can have a diuretic effect, causing the body to lose fluid, so your loved one should avoid them in hot weather.
Stoves can generate a lot of heat when in use. If dinner involves cooking something for long periods of time in the oven, it
can make even an air-conditioned kitchen uncomfortably hot. On hot days, try avoiding recipes that use the stove. If you have to use it, run the kitchen’s exhaust fans to pull heat and steam from the room while cooking.
For more information like this, sign up to receive CareWell’s Daily Active Living Newsletter at https://carewellservices. dailylivingadvice.com/.
Aging and Disability Resource Line: 1-800-626-6719 General Agency Telephone: (269) 966-2450
Help the house stay cool.
the body. If you don’t have a compress, cold water bottles, a bag of ice cubes or even a bag of frozen vegetables make for good substitutes. Avoid putting ice or frozen products directly on skin.
Drink water. According to the CDC, older adults tend to drink less water than younger adults, even though they are at greater risk for dehydration. Encourage your loved one to regularly drink water or beverages that contain water, like fruit juice. Drinks
Don’t overuse the stove.
If your loved one shows signs of feeling faint, dizzy, fatigued, agitated, nauseous, confused
or feverish in the heat, contact their doctor, especially if the symptoms last for more than an hour. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can be life- threatening and should be treated as soon as possible.
Dress for the weather.
Apply cold compresses.
Wearing breathable fabrics can
Cold compresses can help your loved one regulate their
PROMOTING HEALTH
INDEPENDENCE CHOICE