The sun is good for us in many ways. It provides us with much needed Vitamin D which helps us absorb calcium for our bones. But how do you know if you have enough Vitamin D or have had too much sun?
Ask your doctor to draw labs and check your Vitamin D level. As we age most of us do not get enough vitamin D from our sun exposure because we are so careful to not get sunburned. When we are out in the sun for long periods of time we know to use sunscreen, wear sun glasses, and to cover our arms and legs with lightweight clothes. All of this is good to prevent skin cancer but it also limits our ability to absorb Vitamin D from the sun. If your Vitamin D levels are low your doctor can prescribe the right dosage of Vitamin D to take in pill form.
Remember to be safe in the sun. Cover up with lightweight cool clothing. In your home make sure to keep the temperature cool; around 75 degrees is good for most individuals. An older person prefers temperatures closer to 80 degrees in the home. As we age we loose the ability to regulate our bodies internal temperature and we can easily dehydrate. Older individuals are on many different medications that can also affect the bodies ability to maintain a balanced internal body temperature during the hot summer weather. Many try to stay warm by wearing sweaters and don’t realize they can be dehydrating or developing heat stroke. Signs to watch for are dizziness, weakness, nausea, headaches, difficulty speaking, or confusion. Call for help if you see a loved one with any of these symptoms during warmer temperatures. Remember these safety tips; stay cool and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke during the summer.
If you are under the care of a physician and need to limit your fluid intake it is especially important to maintain adequate hydration within your limits. Ask your doctor to prescribe the right quantity of fluids for you to drink. For more information about Summer Safety contact our office at 215-541-9030 and ask to speak with one of our nurses.
