UV Safety in Oklahoma City

July is UV Safety Awareness Month. A time to remind seniors about the dangers UV radiation can cause.

Sunlight is vital for our overall health; the extra Vitamin D production and general promotion of well-being cannot be understated. That said, excessive exposure can lead to serious consequences. Understanding sun safety isn’t just about avoiding sunburn; it’s more about preserving long-term health and quality of life.

Unique Risks Facing Seniors

As we get older, skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and thus more vulnerable to damage. We also start to lose our body’s natural ability to repair cellular damage. That increases the risk for seniors to suffer from:

• Eye damage – continuous UV exposure can cause cataracts and macular degeneration.
• Sunburn – seniors may not feel the sun’s heat as easily as they could when they were younger, making it easier to unknowingly suffer burns.
• Skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are all more common in seniors.

Sun Safety Tips for Seniors

• Plan trips outside wisely – avoid going outdoors between 10 am and 4 pm, that is when UV rays are the strongest. Early mornings and late afternoons are the better times for outdoor activities.
• Dress appropriately – wear lightweight long-sleeve shirts, pants, and brimmed hats to ensure extra protection.
• Use a lot of sunscreen – choose a sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher. Apply before going outside and every two hours while outside.
• Check the UV index – the UV index provides a forecast of the expected UV radiation risk each day. Seniors and their caregivers should pay close attention to what the UV index says for a day with planned outdoor activities.
• Stay hydrated – drink water regularly throughout the day. Drink more on especially hot days.
• Wear sunglasses – UV radiation doesn’t just affect the skin; it can affect your eyes as well. Try to wear sunglasses taht block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
• Check your skin – conduct regular self-examinations or have a caregiver help you examine your skin. Look for new or changing moles, lesions that bleed, and spots with irregular borders.
• Create shaded gardens – a way to keep one of your hobbies safe in the sun. Create your garden under a shaded area to avoid direct sunlight.

Griswold Can Help

At Griswold Home Care for Oklahoma City North, our non-medical caregivers can help make recovery at home safer, more comfortable, and less overwhelming by providing companionship, emotional support, help with daily routines, personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, and more.

Our Caregivers can provide respite care if you need a short break, all the way up to 24-hour home care, for those who need support throughout the day and night. We provide home care services throughout North Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, and the surrounding areas. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can best help you. We can put together a personalized care plan and often have a Caregiver to your home within 24 hours.