The summer heat waves are continuing in the Santa Clarita Valley, so Oakmont of Santa Clarita officials are talking about how to protect seniors from the heat.
One of the biggest hurdles seniors typically have in hot weather is getting dehydrated, according to Executive Director Margie Veis.
“As we age, we don’t realize that we’re thirsty,” Veis explained. “By the time we realize we’re thirsty, we’re already dehydrated.”
One solution Veis recommends is placing bottles of water around the house, and even numbering them so the senior can keep track how how much they’ve been drinking.
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Seniors can also prevent dehydration by keeping outdoor activities restricted to early in the morning or in the evening hours when the weather has cooled off.
A few signs of dehydration, according to Veis, include difficulty in making decisions, instability when walking, dark urine and confusion.
“If they seem a little off, a little bit confused, out of the norm, that would be a No. 1 red flag,” she said. “It is a very serious thing with our seniors.”
Also recommended by Veis is making sure seniors have their air conditioning turned on in the house when it’s hot.
“If you have a senior friend, a parent, stop by their house, check that thermostat,” Veis said, “because so often they don’t realize that it’s stifling in their home.”
Oakmont is a luxury senior living community in Santa Clarita located on seven acres of land on Newhall Ranch Road. Recently opened in January 2016, Oakmont of Santa Clarita is comprised of 80 pet-friendly apartment units, with both independent and assisted living options available. Residents can enjoy five star amenities like a salon & day spa, movie theater, fitness center, restaurant-style dining, gardens and walking paths, pet park, wellness center and more. A separate wing of the community, called Traditions Memory Care, is dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
http://oakmontofsantaclarita.com/
Oakmont of Santa Clarita
28650 Newhall Ranch Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
(661) 347-0051
