After weeks of heat and humidity, there’s finally a cooler day coming up. Your dad wants to go to the lake and have a picnic. It’s a great way to get outside, enjoy the sun and fresh air, and spend time with him. There are safety tips you can’t ignore.
Protect the Skin
The sun feels good, but the UVA and UVB rays can damage the skin. They can lead to sunburn and skin cancer if he’s not careful.
Make sure he’s wearing sunscreen. Apply it 15 minutes before going outside or taking off long sleeves and long pants. Reapply after getting out of water or sweating a lot.
The sunscreen should be at least 30 SPF and be broad spectrum. If you’re at the ocean, see if local laws require you to use a mineral-based rather than chemical-based sunscreen.
Find a Shady Spot
For the picnic, an umbrella or tarp to create some shade helps prevent overheating and excessive sun exposure. You could set up a tarp from one tree to another or use a beach umbrella to shade a picnic blanket.
Provide Plenty to Drink
Don’t let your dad become hydrated. Monitor how much he’s drinking and encourage him to drink more if he isn’t drinking enough. If he’s stubborn, serve cubes of melon, berries, and other fruits and vegetables that have a lot of water in them.
Keep Foods Chilled
Foods that will spoil in the heat need to be kept on ice. Meats, dairy items, and salads with mayonnaise or egg-based dressings have to be kept cold. Keep them in a cooler with ice packs below and on top of containers.
When you’ve served everyone some potato or pasta salad, made sandwiches, or dished out portions of chicken salad, put the containers back into the cooler. Don’t leave them out for more than a few minutes.
It’s a good idea to have two coolers. One can have food. The other can have drinks. This way, the cooler with food isn’t being opened and closed repeatedly throughout the day as people stay hydrated.
Use a Buddy System in the Water
When swimming, make sure everyone is paired up. People need to keep an eye on each other just in case. If something seems wrong, buddies can help each other get out of the water or alert a lifeguard.
Consider bringing along caregivers to help with time management, meals, and your dad’s care while you’re out. Some may be happy to join you on family outings as long as they are only caring for your dad.
When you’re at work, don’t leave your dad alone to fend for himself. Hire caregivers to provide the companionship and assistance he needs.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering a Caregiver in Fitchburg, WI please contact the caring staff at Agape Senior Services Madison today. (608) 841-1004
