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Donna Nichols • June 22, 2023

How to Stay Safe Outdoors this Summer

Another great article in the June 2023 AARP Bulletin discusses ways to stay safe this summer. It covers ways to stay safe around the house, around town, when you travel and outdoors. This is the final section and will cover ways to stay safe when you are outside. Each section was written by different experts, so I will highlight some of the bullet points for you here.


James Williams says that more people 50 and older are taking diuretics, antihistamines, or beta-blockers, each of which can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses in the summer. He says drinking water helps, but electrolytes like Gatorade, Powerade, or Vitamin water is better. Get out of the heat upon any signs of heat exhaustion, including heavy sweating, thirst, pale or clammy skin, headache, or dizziness.


James further states that in as little as 30 minutes, heat exhaustion can progress to disabling or deadly heat stroke, which can damage internal organs. Symptoms can include hot, dry, red skin; profuse sweating; confusion; slurred speech; or loss of consciousness. Move anyone with these more advanced symptoms to a cooler location immediately, then call 911.


Stephen P. Leatherman speaks on ocean hazards and the strong rip currents. He says a rip current can sweep even the strongest of swimmers away from the shore and more than 80 percent of U.S. beach lifeguard rescues are of people caught in a rip current. If you’re caught in a rip current, don’t panic, and don’t exhaust yourself trying to fight your way back to shore; call and wave for help, then try to swim parallel to the shore to get out of the current.


Goudarz Molaei says that ticks carry Lyme disease, and they thrive in warm and humid weather. While tall grass and wooded areas are prime tick locations, in nearly 75 percent of reported Lyme disease cases, bites occurred in people’s own backyards. He says before going into the woods, put on light-colored clothing and a long-sleeved shirt, tuck your pants into your socks, and use DEET or another tick repellant. Back home, do a thorough tick check on your body; quickly remove a tick using tweezers.


Londa Nwadike is all about the foodborne illnesses that can arise from the high temperatures that cause bacteria to grow quickly on food. To keep your picnic from being ruined by symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, keep food refrigerated or in ice-filled coolers during transport and until it’s time to eat.


Nathan P. Charlton discusses how the hot, dry weather is expected to increase the presence of stinging insects, including wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets. At picnics, cover your food and drink. Don’t wear sweet-smelling lotions or perfumes outside. If a stinging insect comes your way, calmly back up. Don’t swat, this will make it feel threatened.


Gregory G. Papadeas says to make sure you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to avoid sunburn. He cautions though, not to make the mistake of thinking it lasts all day; you must repeat it every 80 to 90 minutes – more often if you sweat or swim.


Donald Belsito points out that poison ivy is thriving thanks to rising soil temperatures and carbon dioxide in the air. If you think you’ve been exposed to poison ivy, use soap and water to wash body parts that may have come in contact with it. Also wash your clothing and any tools you’ve used, since the skin irritant from poison ivy can cling to items for years. Treat mild cases with hydrocortisone and calamine lotion.


As stated, I just pointed out the bullet points, to read the entire sections, pick up the AARP Bulletin. This wraps up the stay safe this summer section. I hope you find some valuable tips in my blogs to keep you safe!

Make Valentine’s Day Special for Seniors

By Donna Nichols • February 5, 2025
Valentine’s Day tends to zero in on romantic love, but what about our seniors? They too often get forgotten. We have some ways to make Valentine’s Day special for them too. Spend the day with your loved one. Spending quality time with a loved one is more important to a senior than anything else. There is no greater gift than time and please make sure you have enough, so you are not rushed. Do your elderly loved one have a favorite meal? Perhaps you can prepare it for them, or if they are able, you can prepare it together. How fun would that be for you both? Be sure to discuss the enjoyment it brought you while you are sharing the meal together. How about a game of name that love song? You could prepare a playlist of love songs from the generation and play them to see how many they get correct. Or, if you can sing, you can sing some for them and see if they can recollect them. Take some time for reminiscing, go through old photo albums, or ask about old times. Ask them about when you were young and what trouble you caused; this will give you all something to laugh (or cry) about. Has your loved one been cooped up all winter? Take them out for a nice lunch, or weather permitting, a picnic in the park. Go for coffee and a donut, then head out to see a movie. Make a “date” of it. Maybe your senior is into crafts. You can design special Valentine’s Day cards for other family members. This way your senior can express their love for them and send it to them in their own unique way. You can create other greeting cards as well. Bake some special treats together. Does your senior have some favorite cookies or cake? You could bake it together, or you can bake it for them. Then you can enjoy it after you have the meal you prepared together. Yummy, delicious!! You can watch some romantic movies together if they prefer to stay in the house or the weather isn’t so good. If they like to color, you can buy them some of those large coloring books and you can color together. Don’t forget the decorations and the flowers! Make the house or apartment as festive as possible. Even if they live in as assisted living community, you can still decorate their room to the nines! Make it as festive as possible! If you live in another state or can’t be close to your senior for Valentine’s Day, how about sending them a specially crafted care package. You can hand make some gifts, add some photos of family and friends, and send a personally recorded message. You can bake some homemade treats and incorporate some things that are of personal interest to them. This will show how much you care for them and make their Valentine’s Day extra special even if you can’t be with them.  There are so many ways to make Valentine’s Day special for seniors. Let’s not forget about them; make sure to show them they are so loved too!

February is National Heart Month

By Donna Nichols • February 4, 2025
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Hydration Tips for the Winter

By Donna Nichols • January 8, 2025
I’ve written many blogs about the importance of staying hydrated in the summer, but did you know it’s just as important to stay hydrated in the winter months? I’ve shared some important tips on how to stay hydrated in the winter and why. Cold, dry air can dehydrate you easily and quickly. Even if you don’t feel thirsty. Proper hydration can help regulate your body temperature, maintain healthy organ function, and prevent fatigue, dry skin, and headaches. In the colder months, you do not feel thirsty, that’s why it’s so important to make sure you drink plenty of water. Why is winter hydration so important? Colder air tends to be drier causing moisture to evaporate through your breathing which can cause dehydration. In colder weather, you may not feel as thirsty, causing you to become dehydrated quickly. Also, wearing more clothing traps sweat inside your clothing causing more fluid loss. What are some of the benefits of staying hydrated in the winter? • Drinking enough water helps keep your skin hydrated and prevents dryness. This will help with that dry, itchy skin feeling we all get in the winter. • Water helps your body maintain a regular core temperature. Which is so important to maintain in the winter. • Drinking plenty of water supports your immune system, which helps fight off winter colds and the flu. We all want to fight those germs off! • When you are dehydrated, you become tired easily, so drinking plenty of water helps keep your energy levels up. How do you stay hydrated in the winter? • Make sure you drink plenty of water. Set reminders if you must; you probably won’t feel as thirsty in the winter, but you need to keep drinking that water! • You don’t have to drink cold water; room temperature water works. You can also drink tea or water with lemon, as long as you’re getting your water. • If you’re going out, carry a water bottle with you to ensure you have water to drink. • Eat fruits and vegetables that contain water. Tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, watermelon, cauliflower, mushrooms, cucumber, apples, and pineapple are just a few that contain high water contents. • If you think you’re dehydrated, check your urine; if it’s a darker color, that can suggest dehydration. Urine should be a pale, yellow color. As you can see, staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as staying hydrated in the summer, if not more. In the winter you don’t realize you are thirsty therefore you tend not to drink as much water as you should. This has the potential of wreaking havoc on your body. Please make sure you drink plenty of water in the wintertime as you do in the summertime. We have rebranded our company, we are now Assisted Senior Services! Call us for ANYTHING SENIOR!! 386-847-2322!
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