How Often Should You Check on Seniors Living Alone During the Summer?

During the hot summer months, seniors can face a number of increased risks and dangers. This includes the risk of dehydration and heat stroke. Seniors living alone may also require more regular check-ins to ensure that they do not face unexpected health problems, which could ultimately lead to disability or death. How often should you check on seniors living alone during the summer months?

Exactly how often you should check in on senior loved ones can depend on a variety of important factors. For example, if you have a senior loved one who has a number of underlying health conditions, you may want to check in more often. Take a look at these questions to help you determine how often you should check in on seniors living alone during hot summers in Portland.

1. Does Your Loved One Have Any Underlying Health Conditions?

If your loved one has any health struggles, including heart or lung problems, kidney problems, or cancer, the summer heat can cause health to decline substantially. To help ensure that your loved one is holding up well in the summer heat, it could be crucial to check in very frequently, or even daily. Keep in mind that over-the-phone check-ins, while helpful in offering some information, may not provide you with comprehensive insights into your loved one's overall physical condition, including whether they might be struggling with dehydration or other ongoing struggles.

2. Does Your Loved One Have Regularly-Scheduled Interactions with Others?

In some cases, your senior loved one might be an active, involved part of the community, attending events and going to meetings. Your loved one might have multiple people checking in regularly who know where they should be and will notice if their condition seems to be declining. However, it's important not to rely on those other individuals alone to ensure your loved one's health.

3. Does Your Loved One Have Means of Contacting Help if Needed?

You need to make sure that your senior loved one has an alert button or other system in place for getting help quickly if things do go wrong. Having the right equipment can help protect your loved ones and get help to them quickly if needed.

How Can You Help Check in on a Loved One During the Hot Summer Months?

There are several strategies you can use to help ensure that seniors living alone are protected during the summer.

1. Visit regularly.

Get in the habit of stopping by several times a week. Ultimately, in-person visits are the most effective way to ensure that your loved one remains healthy. This way, you will also notice signs of declining health quickly. Regular visits can also help you ensure that your loved one is eating well, exercising, and in good health overall.

2. Arrange a system with your family members and friends.

Family members and friends can take turns checking in. This can provide all of you with a higher level of confidence in your loved one's health.

3. Call regularly when you cannot visit in person.

Cannot visit in person for any reason, including a busier schedule than anticipated? Phone calls can help fill in some of the gaps on those days. Do not, however, rely completely on phone calls to check on your loved one.

4. Hire a caregiver.

At Senior Helpers Portland West, we can help check on seniors living alone in Oregon City, Sherwood, and Wilsonville and ensure that their personal needs are met.