Sun Safety Facts Every Independent Senior in Allen Should Know

Located just on the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex's outskirts, Allen, TX, is a beautiful city with many green spaces, recreational activities, and shopping options. It also has a tight-knit community, a slower pace of life, and easy access to many amenities, making it attractive for active retirees who value their peace and independence.

It also doesn't hurt that, on average, Allen enjoys 232 sunny days yearly, according to BestPlaces.net.

Still, some days in Allen can reach or exceed 90°F. Such hot days can be dangerous, so seniors should familiarize themselves with sun safety facts. With this knowledge, they can make more informed choices about spending their days comfortably while keeping heat safety in mind.

To that end, the caring team at Parkview in Allen, our independent living community offering supportive services in Allen, TX, put together this guide. Please read on for practical insights into senior summer wellness and heat safety for aging adults.

What Heat and Humidity Can Do

The heat index measures how hot the human body can feel when the air temperature combines with relative humidity (the amount of water vapor in the air). The higher the index, the hotter the body feels. The longer the exposure to a high heat index, the more likely heat-related illnesses (HRIs) may occur.

HRIs occur when the body overheats. There are three types:

1. Heat cramps: The mildest form of HRI that often presents as painful muscle cramps or spasms in the arms, legs, or stomach
2. Heat exhaustion: A progression from heat cramps, with symptoms like dizziness, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, weakness, and excessive sweating
3. Heat stroke: The most severe form of HRI that can manifest as agitation, confusion, and seizures, sometimes even coma if not addressed immediately

Knowledge of all the potential dangers of high heat can empower older adults to make the right decisions when planning their daily activities. For example, if they learn how high a sunny day's heat index can get, they can choose to stay cool indoors rather than venturing outdoors and face the risk of overheating.

Checking the Daily Weather Forecast

Checking the weather forecast is one of the best and most effective outdoor safety habits every active senior should practice. Depending on what they have planned for the day, older adults can modify their schedules based on the day's heat index.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has a nifty chart explaining the effects of heat indices on the human body. For instance, seniors should practice caution if the index is between 80°F and 90°F, as prolonged exposure to this heat level can cause fatigue, especially if combined with physical activity. At 90°F to 103°F, all HRIs are possible with prolonged exposure and physical exertion.

NWS is also among the best sources for accurate weather forecasts and insights. Other platforms Allen seniors can use to help them plan the day are:

• AccuWeather
• The Weather Channel
• Weather Underground
• Local television and radio news channels

Please make it a habit to visit those websites or tune in to those platforms daily, especially if you have plans to participate in outdoor senior activities and events.

Dressing for the Weather

Dressing for the weather means wearing light-colored, loose clothes during hot days.

The lighter the color (e.g., white), the better, as it absorbs less sunlight. On the other hand, darker colors absorb more, as TeachEngineering.org explains.

Wearing loose, comfortable clothes is also vital for hot weather as they help keep you cooler through better air circulation.

Also, please remember that your clothing choices can affect how much ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure you'll receive. While sunlight is critical to vitamin D synthesis, you don't want too much of it directly on your skin. Otherwise, you'll burn.

Here are some UV protection tips that also work as excellent strategies for better skin care in retirement:

• "Dress" your skin up with broad-spectrum sunscreen, ideally one with SPF 30 or higher
• Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours or, if swimming or sweating, immediately after
• Opt for clothes with UV-protective fabrics and that provide as much sun coverage as possible
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat for face, scalp, and neck protection
• Don UV-blocking sunglasses to safeguard your eyes and the thin, fragile skin surrounding them

Avoiding the Sun and Having Fun Indoors

When the weather forecast says it will be hot at some point within the day, but you want to go on a nature walk, consider doing so earlier in the day, when it's cooler.

Don't forget to hydrate, too; drink more fluids (ideally, plain cold water) than usual, especially during your outdoor activities and on hot days. Then, for the rest of the day, seek the cool and comfort of an air-conditioned space.

At Parkview in Allen, we take our residents' health and well-being seriously and know how hot it can be in our beautiful city. As such, we've installed self-controlled, individual heating and air conditioning systems in our spacious, well-appointed senior apartment homes.

We also have many on-site amenities that allow our residents to have fun while spending time indoors, including a dining room (where residents can enjoy three chef-prepared meals daily) and a wellness center.

Our residents also enjoy the added convenience of leading maintenance-free lifestyles. Our professional team handles many chores and tasks on their behalf, from housekeeping to maintaining all apartments, amenities, and community grounds.

Keep These Sun Safety Facts in Mind

From high heat indices being a safety risk to checking the daily weather forecast, dressing for the weather, and avoiding the sun, these are all crucial sun safety facts that Allen seniors should be aware of. The more you know, the better you can plan and enjoy your day without worrying too much about sun and UV exposure.

If you or an older loved one is looking for a community where summer fun and independent living are priorities, but offers the added peace of mind of making supportive services available, look no further than Parkview in Allen. In our beautiful, well-maintained, amenity-rich senior haven, residents safely enjoy their daily lives during summer and throughout the year.

Reach out today to learn more and book a tour of our community in Allen, TX!