How Seniors Keep Moving During Summer in Silicon Valley, CA

The Bay Area is famous for its glorious and mild summers, and many local seniors are understandably excited to enjoy spending time outside. However, a smaller appetite and difficulty regulating their body temperature can mean it’s easy for them to forget things like food, hydration and sunscreen while they’re rushing out the door. That usually leads to a quick trip home instead of a day of fun in the sun.

Fortunately, Silicon Valley offers plenty of ways to get your loved one everything they need to enjoy the summer to the fullest. Here are a few of our favorites.

How to Keep Seniors Moving During the Summer in Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley has one of the most pleasant summer climates in the country, and with a little preparation, you can help your loved one get the most out of it. From public pools and nutritious treats to UV-blocking outdoor gear, here’s how you can help.

1. Protect Their Skin

The Bay Area’s famously mild summers and beautiful natural scenery make it a fantastic spot for outdoor adventures. However, it’s still important to take precautions. Our mild climate doesn’t offer much protection from the sun, and it’s just as easy to get a sunburn when it’s 70 degrees as it is when it’s 90. (Easier, in fact, since seniors are more likely to stay outside for an extended period when it’s cool out.)

We’re not going to advise your loved one to stay inside and miss out on the glorious summer weather—just to take precautions by gearing up properly at an outdoor goods store like Mel Cotton’s. Here’s what to help them look for:

• Summer-weight outdoor clothing made with UV-blocking fabrics, preferably with as much skin coverage as possible. Light colors are even better because they reflect heat, helping your loved one stay cool while they move. 
• A sun hat or baseball cap to keep sunlight off their scalp and out of their eyes.
• High-SPF sunscreen to protect all the areas that clothing can’t.
• Anti-UV sunglasses to guard their eyes and improve visibility.
• An insulated water bottle to keep them hydrated (preferably with a built-in straw).

If they’re planning to go out in nature, make sure to get them a good pair of hiking shoes and some bug repellent spray while you’re at it.

2. Make Dinner a Treat

As we get older, it gets harder and harder to get enough food. Seniors face a variety of barriers to eating, but one of the biggest is that they rarely feel hungry, even though they still need the same amount of calories. Unfortunately, hot weather can make it even harder for them to eat.

If you’ve ever lost your appetite on a scorching hot day, you’ll have an idea why that is. High temperatures suppress our appetites because our bodies want to avoid the extra heat that digestion requires. Frozen foods, however, can feel far more appealing.

The fitness community popularized smoothies and frozen fruit bowls as a way to cool down and recharge post-workout, but it turns out that they’re also a fantastic option for seniors. While they taste like a frosty, indulgent treat, they also happen to contain all the components of a healthy, balanced meal. Next time the mercury climbs, swing by a juice bar like Palmetto Superfoods to see if your loved one likes smoothies. If they do, you may want to get a high-end blender and start making them right at home.

3. Make a Splash

While summer in Silicon Valley tends to be mild, we do get genuine scorchers from time to time. When the temperature hits 90 or so, just going out of the house can start to lose its appeal for many older adults—let alone exercising outside.

There’s one exception, however. Water cools our bodies down much faster than air at the same temperature, which is why it’s nearly impossible to overheat even in a lukewarm pool. It’s also why swimming is one of the best ways seniors can comfortably get outside on a hot summer day.

Next time your loved one wants to have fun in the sun when it’s hot out, try taking them to Camden Pool so they can swim a few laps…or just enjoy floating around. Just make sure to pack them plenty of waterproof sunscreen (and to help them reapply it every few hours). 

Caregivers Can Help Seniors Keep Moving

With the right precautions, you can help your loved one get the most out of the Bay Area’s beautiful summers—and there are plenty of resources available to help in Silicon Valley. From nutritious treats and outdoor gear to public swimming pools, there’s no shortage of ways for seniors to keep moving during the summer right here.

Does a senior in your life need a little help staying active this summer? If so, FirstLight Home Care of Silicon Valley is here to help. Our gentle caregivers offer older adults a trusted companion they can lean on for help getting out of the house or getting around. They can even drive your loved one to and from their activities.

Ready to learn more about how our caregivers can help? Contact us today.