5 Things That Will Help Seniors When The Humidity Is High
In-Home Care in Manassas City VA
Heat isn’t the only weather-related factor that make seniors sick. High humidity can make it very difficult for seniors to breathe, especially seniors who have COPD, lung cancer, lung disease, Long Covid, or any other lung-related illness. High humidity can also be difficult for seniors who have heart disease.
If your senior parent has any medical conditions that can be affected by heat and humidity they should have in-home care. An in-home care provider can do things like cook meals, bring in groceries, run errands, do housework, and do the laundry so that your senior parent can rest when the weather is hot and humid.
Some other things that will help seniors who have trouble breathing manage during humid weather are:
Use Air Conditioning and Dehumidifiers
Air conditioning can significantly improve indoor air quality by cooling the air and reducing humidity levels. Make sure that your mom or dad has air conditioning, and that they use it. If they are using room air conditioners or portable air conditioners there should be one in the bedroom and one in the living room.
Dehumidifiers can also help maintain a comfortable indoor environment by removing excess moisture from the air. Both devices work together to create a more breathable atmosphere, reducing the strain on seniors’ respiratory systems.
If your senior parent doesn’t have a dehumidifier there are products that can be hung in closets and small spaces that will help suction water out of the air.
Keep Drinking Water
Proper hydration is crucial for maintaining respiratory health, particularly in humid conditions. Seniors should drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep their mucous membranes moist. This helps to thin mucus, making it easier to expel and reducing the likelihood of respiratory infections.
There are also medications that can thin mucus and stop mucus production. Talk to your mom or dad’s doctor if you think they need medications to help them breathe better in the hot humid weather.
Practice Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises can help seniors improve their lung capacity and efficiency. Techniques such as pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and other deep breathing exercises can enhance oxygen intake and promote relaxation. There are videos that your mom or dad can watch to learn how to do these exercises.
A in-home care provider can also practice breathing exercises with your mom or dad to help them learn how to improve their breathing during bad weather.
Use An Air Purifier
An air purifier will help remove allergens and irritants from the air so that your mom or dad isn’t breathing in tiny particles that will hurt their lungs. It’s a good idea for any senior with respiratory illness to have an air purifier, but an air purifier can be a huge help during very humid weather.
Get Plants
Plants are good for physical and mental health. Some plants, like money tree plants, are known for their ability to filter contaminants out of the air. And because plants pump healthy oxygen into the room they will help your mom or dad breathe when the house is all shut up because of the weather outside.
If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home care in Manassas City, VA, please contact the caring staff at LivinRite Home Care. Serving Northern Virginia, The Valley, and Surrounding Communities – call us today at (703) 369-6677.
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