Summer Safety for the Memory Impaired

Now that the warm weather is here, people are spending more time outside gardening, walking, bike riding, picnicing and barbecuing. We like to make the most of the limited number of sunny, warm days we have in WNY. Persons with a memory impairing illness are no different. They wish to be outside during the nice weather, however, they may lack the good judgement to protect themselves from some of the most common safety hazards in summer.

The following summer safety tips are based on an article from the FDA Consumer Guide Magazine:

> Limit sun exposure. Be sure your family member is wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreen. Apply sunscreen to exposed skin 30 minutes before going out into the sun and reapply every two hours afterward. Use water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreen is formulated to protect the skin against the sun's damaging ultraviolet light (UV), not to help the skin tan.

NOTE: Some medications can increase sensitivity to the sun. Some examples are tetracycline anitbiotics, sulfonamides such as Bactrim, non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and even some cosmetics that contain alpha hydroxy acids can increase sensitivity.

Check with your pharmacist or physician.

> Have your family member wear a wide brim hat. Hats keep the sensitive scalp area protected and shade the face. Even thick hair cannot protect scalps from UV rays.

> Seek shaded areas. Allowing some time in the sun while gardening or swimming is fine - however, sitting in the shade or using beach umbrella's to create shade is a better choice.

> Have your family member wear sunglasses with UV absorbing lenses to protect the sensitive skin around the eyes. This may also reduce the long-term risk of developing cataracts.

> If your family member does become sunburned, do not put ice or butter on it. Use a cold compress, and if you don't have that, a pack of frozen vegetables wrapped in a light clean cloth will do. Over the counter pain relievers may also be helpful. Mild to moderate cases of sunburn may be helped by topical corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone. In the case of severe sunburn - (blistering, intense pain, deep redness, dizziness, vomiting...) seek medical attention immediately.

> Always be on the look out for moles that change color or size, moles that bleed, or moles that have an irregular, spreading edge - all are potential signs of skin cancer.

> Bites from Mosquitoes and Ticks

Ticks are usually harmless. The biggest disease threat from tick bites is Lyme disease, which is caused by the bite from the black-legged deer tick. The tick is about the size of a pinhead and usually lives on deer. According to the CDC, there were 23,763 cases of Lyme disease reported nationwide in 2002.

About 80 percent of people who get Lyme disease develop a large rash that looks like a bull's-eye. Other classic Lyme disease symptoms are muscle aches and stiff joints.

To protect yourself and your family member from tick bites, be sure to wear protective clothing when in fields or wooded area. Long pants with pantlegs tucked into socks or boots. Long sleeved shirts with cuffs buttoned. Be sure to carefully check exposed skin after time outdoors for signs of a bite (a red spot on exposed skin that seems to spread or grow)

If you find a tick on the skin, remove it with tweezers, seal it in a plastic bag and discard it. Early detection is important as a tick needs to be on the skin 36 hours or more to transmit Lyme disease.

Another insect-borne illness, West Nile virus, is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and usually produces mild symptoms in healthy people. But the illness can be serious for older people and those with compromised immune systems. The symptoms are flu-like, and can include fever, headache, body aches, and skin rash.

To protect yourself and family members from mosquitoe bites, be sure you have no stagnent water pooling near your home. Turn empty flower pots upside down, check for excess standing water in drainage ditches...

Use a bug repellent which contains DEET on exposed skin. (Avoid face or near eyes - follow manufactuers instructions)

Bee stings.

Bees can be aggressive if they feel their territory or hive is in danger. Bees can sting simply out of self defense. It is not uncommon to have people stung in the mouth each year, from accidentally swallowing a bee that has crawled into a pop can. It is a concern anytime there is swelling in the face or any area other than the sting site when someone is bit. It is also a concern if the person complains of difficulty swallowing or breathing after a bee sting. Immediate emergency assistance should be sought if any of these symptoms occur.

To protect yourself and keep bees away, wear light-colored clothing and avoid scented soaps and perfumes. Don't leave food, drinks and garbage out uncovered. Treat a bee sting by scraping the stinger away in a side to side motion with a credit card or fingernail, and then washing the area with soap and water. Pulling the stinger or using tweezers may put more venom into the skin. For any bug bite or sting, apply ice or a cold compress. An over the counter pain-relieving cream or oral medication can help.

> Heat Illness.

During heat illness, the body's cooling system shuts down. Body temperature goes up, which inhibits the ability to sweat. Mild symptoms of heat exhaustion include thirst, fatigue, and cramps in the legs or abdomen. Left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke. Serious heat-related symptoms include dizziness, headaches, nausea, rapid hearbeat, vomiting, decreased alertness and a temperature as high as 105 degrees F or more. In severe cases, the liver, kidneys and brain may be damaged. About 400 people die each year from heat exposure according to the CDC.

People ages 65 and older and young children are especially vulnerable to heat illness. Air conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat illness. If you don't have air conditioning, spend time in public facilities, such as libraries and malls that have air conditioning. Reduce strenuous activities or do them during the early morning or evening when it's cooler. Carry a water bottle with you whenever outside and drink fluids regularly. Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing. If you see someone experiencing heat illness, have them lie down in a cool place and elevate the legs. Use water, wet towels and fanning to help cool the person down until emergency help comes.

> Burns from Fireworks and Grills

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that about 8,800 people were treated in emergency rooms in 2002 for injuries assoicated with fireworks, grills and campfires. Most injury involved the hands, head and eyes.

Stick with public firework displays handled by professionals. Your family member should always be closely supervised when food is being cooked indoors or outdoors.

Generally, minor burns smaller than a person's palm can be treated at home. But burns bigger than that and burns on the hands, feet, face and major joints usually require emergency treatment. For a minor injury, run cool water over it and cover it with a clean, dry cloth. Do not apply ice, which can worsen a burn. Do not apply petroleum jelly or butter, which can hold heat in the tissue. Consult your family doctor if a minor burn does not heal in a couple of days or if there are signs of infection, such as redness and swelling.

> Probably the greatest risk faced by persons with a memory impairing illness is unsupervised wandering or becoming lost. Although wandering away can occur in any season of the year, warm weather and sunshine are inviting for everyone. Your family member may simply go out of doors to pick up the mail or take a short walk and become disoriented - even in their own neighborhood. Dehydration can occur quickly, increasing their confusion.

Register your family member for Safe Return - a program of National Registry through the Alzheimer's Association. Your family member will receive a bracelet indicating that they have a memory impairing illness, and lists an 800# to the registry for caregiver notification when your family member is located.

Notify your local police department that you have a family member with a memory impairing illness. Provide them with a photo and any identifing information about your family member incase you need the police to assist you in locating your loved one.

Notify neighbors of the risk of your family member becoming lost or disoriented in the neighborhood. Tell them what you would like them to do if they see your family member walking away from your home unsupervised.

Be prepared for warm weather risks and enjoy your summer in safety!

For more information on the Safe Return Program - please contact the Alzheimer's Association at (716) 626-0600 or www.alz.org.

For more information on the program and services offered through ElderWood Senior Care, please contact (716) 633-3900.