Senior Safety Tips – Strolling through some Outdoor Safety Tips

As we take a stroll on this fine summers day, we can revise some senior safety tips that apply when outdoors.

Long summer days, with the bright and cheery sunshine often helps us to feel relaxed and puts us in a good mood!

Let’s saunter among beautiful, brightly colored flowers and take a seat upon an elegant wooden bench set by a sparkling lake. We will let the birds’ serenade fade into the background, as we focus on some applicable senior safety points.

You might like to read the article on indoor senior safety tips.

 

Always travel with…

Everyone’s list of “Always travel with…” will be different, but it is recommended to take with, a bottle of water, a credit card or a little cash and a fully-charged cell phone. If you are going on a longer journey, you might want to add a travel pillow and some snacks. Of course any necessary medication should be taken along as well as a medical identification card, if you have one.

 

While Travelling

Private Transport – Always wear a seat belt. Be considerate to your driver and avoid back- seat driving or distracting conversations. Some people prefer to sit in the front seat to avoid travel sickness or enjoy more room for their legs. Other remedies for travel sickness are to look at the distant scenery or wear acupressure wrist bands. Drink water and so on, as you normally would, planning for toilet stops as necessary.

 

Public Transport – Avoid bus stops that are isolated. Have the money or travel card ready, so that you are not searching for them while boarding. Be aware of what is happening around you and who is standing next to you. Make sure to take a seat before the vehicle begins to move. Take a scarf or sweater with, even in the summer, the air conditioner sometimes feels too cold.

 

Walking

Plan to walk together with someone. If walking during early or late hours wear bright clothing so that you can see each other. Walk in areas that are well lit. Cross the road safely; pay attention to traffic and be really careful, especially when crossing a pedestrian crossing. Watch out for runners. If using headphones while walking, keep the volume low enough to be able to hear what is going on around you. Pay attention to your balance or if the floor is slippery. Remember to wear the right eyeglasses for walking outdoors.

 

Sunglasses and Sunhat

Protection from the sun is very important. Sunglasses protect the delicate skin around the eyes from UV exposure. Look for sunglasses that block out 99% to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays. A sunhat should be wide brimmed to provide the most extensive protection. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

 

Tell Someone Where You Are Going

Before setting out, if alone or in a small group, let someone else know where you are going. It might seem like an obstruction to your privacy but so many stories happen with people who said, “…and the problem was that no one knew where I had gone…”

You should know where you are going, too. The popular GPS systems help people to find their way. However, you can’t rely completely on this device to know if where you are going is truly safe and accessible for you.

 

On Hot Days…

Seniors are not the only ones who need to be careful about heat illnesses; everyone needs to take care, but seniors need to take more care. Dehydration can be serious, since it affects the body’s ability to regulate body temperature.  Know the signs of dehydration – they are as follows:

According to eMedicineHealth these are possible signs of mild to moderate dehydration in adults:

• Having a dry mouth
• Increasing thirst
• Feeling tired or sleepy
• Urine is a reduced quantity and darker in color
• Feeling dizzy
• Feeling headachy
• Having dry skin (Tip: Pinch the skin on the second knuckle of the other hand. If it takes more than a split second to stretch back to normal, suspect dehydration.)
• No tears, dry eyes

 

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so read up about other senior safety tips. The senior safety tips presented here are part of being safe outdoors. Have a safe, happy and healthy summer!

 

Photo by Charlotte Coneybeer on Unsplash