Despite the sunshine and flora, summer can be a tough time for seniors who are full-time residents of southwest Florida. At a time of year when heat and dehydration pose serious risks, a significant portion of the local population has left town. It can leave local seniors with fewer people to turn to, less socialization, and possible physical and mental deterioration.
That potential loneliness can be exasperated when children and grandchildren visit but then leave again, drawing attention to an empty house.
In these circumstances, a Bradenton in-home companion and/or homemaker can have an exceptional positive impact on an individual’s physical wellbeing and overall outlook.
Here are some of the many ways a local companion service can help, especially in summer.
Safe Transportation
Often, when we think of “safe transportation” for seniors, we’re talking about giving rides to people who cannot drive. But in the hottest part of the year, a companion’s thoughtfulness and professional presence extends so much further.
Companion Transportation Benefits in Summer:
- Taking extra time to ensure the car has cooled off before the client gets in.
- Testing the heat of seats and seatbelt buckles.
- Carrying an umbrella, stool, water bottle, or other items that can ease heat and dehydration risks.
- Dropping off the client at the curb, then parking in a shady spot.
Safe Summer Activities
Staying physically and mentally active is always an imperative—as well as a challenge—for older adults. Summer limits these options further through both heat and rain. It’s easy for individuals, when left to their own devices, to get stuck in habits of inactivity. An in-home companion expands the potential of activities, both in home and in the community.
Ways a Companion Can Encourage Safe Summer Activity:
- Encouraging clients to stand up (if they’re able) regularly, even when just watching TV.
- Suggesting and providing indoor activities, like puzzles and balloon volleyball or excursions to public, air-conditioned places like the mall.
- Encouraging frequent breaks when performing outdoor activities like walking or gardening.
- Making normal chores, like cleaning and laundry, a more fun social experience.
Overall Summer Safety
While an in-home companion provides essential services year-round, summer in Florida poses specific risks that are less common in other parts of the country. Regular check-ins from an in-home companion can prevent or mitigate issues that, left unchecked, could end up being disastrous.
An In-Home Companion Ensures Safer Home Conditions:
- Checking that the utilities are working properly.
- Monitoring AC function and temperature settings.
- Checking for structural leaks after it rains.
- Overseeing outdoor activities like trips to the mailbox or taking the garbage out.
- Assisting in organizing bills and other mail.
- Ensuring adequate food and drink options.
- Aiding with hurricane plans and prep.
Summer Safety and Peace of Mind
Even the strongest and healthiest among us are no match for 100-degree heat and hurricanes that southwest Florida experiences from June through September. Those with higher risk of physical and mental struggles will often suffer in the summertime, sometimes to a life-threatening degree.
A professional, certified in-home companion in Bradenton summer brings a friendly face as well as a level head for handling any number of day-to-day tasks and challenges. Not only do our services brighten our clients’ days, we also use that time to monitor home situations and provide safe outlets for activities that would otherwise be impossible or incredibly dangerous. With our partnership, older individuals can move more freely and comfortably through their world.