As people get older, the summer weather becomes more unforgiving. It’s important to become aware of the health risks associated with extreme heat in order to stay safe and, most importantly, enjoy summer.

Since we are entering one of the hottest months of the year, this is as good a time as any to go over some recommended summer safety tips for seniors. In this article we will explain how to conquer the heat, avoid health risks, and have fun during the last stretch of the summer season.

Summer Weather Safety Tips for Seniors

Stay Hydrated

Keeping your body hydrated is one of the most essential summer safety tips for seniors. This is due to the fact that people perspire more in warm weather. It’s important to be mindful of the amount of fluid you’re consuming. You can maintain healthy hydration levels by consuming at least eight glasses of water a day.

If plain water doesn’t do it for you, flavored water is just fine. Sports drinks like Gatorade are also an effective way to stay hydrated. Not all fluids are created equal, however, as some can increase your risk of dehydration.

I’m referring to alcoholic and caffeinated beverages – they are diuretics, which deplete your body of fluid. Keeping those types of beverages to a minimum can lower your health risks in the summer. If you choose to have a drink, or a couple cups of coffee, add a some extra glasses of water to your day.

Dress for the Weather

Dressing for the summer weather is kind of a balancing act. On one hand, you don’t want to wear so much that it causes you to overheat. On the other hand, you don’t want to wear so little that it increases your risk of sunburn.

Shorts with short-sleeved shirts are perfectly acceptable, but don’t forget to cover your head as well. Hats with extra wide brims, also known as sun hats, can help protect your head, face, and neck from getting burned.

When combined with UV-protective sunglasses you can beat the heat and look fashionable while you’re at it. I bet you didn’t expect these summer weather safety tips to include fashion advice as well.

Take Precaution

Take precaution in the summer by wearing sunscreen on exposed skin. Aim for sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30 – the higher the better. You can also take precaution by staying inside during days that are unseasonably warm.

If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, look for somewhere that does. Malls, movie theaters, senior centers, or the homes of friends and family are all good options.

Worst case scenario, if you do not have air conditioning and are unable to leave the house, you can lower your body temperature by taking a cool shower or bath.

Summer Safety Tips for Seniors: Conclusion

This concludes the list of summer safety tips for seniors. Even if you follow my advice and take every precaution, you could still be susceptible to heat stroke on extremely hot days.

If you experience symptoms like a headache, nausea, dizziness, increased heart rate, flushed face, and high body temperature you should seek help immediately. If you’re prone to experiencing dizziness in warm weather, see our guide on mobility aids.

Heat stroke is serious, so you can never be too careful. Stay safe and enjoy the rest of summer!

When you think of yoga, do you think of young people bending their bodies past what should be their natural limits? If so, then you might be surprised to learn yoga is something that can be practiced by everyone.

Yes, everyone. It can even be practiced in a chair by those with limited mobility. It’s called “chair yoga.”  In this article we will go over the benefits of chair yoga, some examples of chair yoga poses for seniors, and wrap it all up with some tips for a chair yoga routine.

Benefits of Chair Yoga

All the benefits of yoga exist with chair yoga. Restricted movement doesn’t mean restricted benefits. When practiced regularly as part of a healthy lifestyle, chair yoga can improve overall health and mental well-being.

Here are some benefits of chair yoga which may be of particular interest to seniors with limited mobility:

• Improved Strength: A stronger body will improve one’s ability to withstand the effects of aging and help to sustain fewer injuries.

• Improved Flexibility: Greater flexibility can improve one’s ability to extend themselves beyond what they were previously capable of. This can help when it comes to doing things like tying your shoes or picking things up.

• Improved Proprioception: Proprioception is one’s ability to accurately coordinate movement based on the sense of where their body is in space. Greater proprioception can help prevent trips and falls.  

• Reduced Stress: Chair yoga leads to a sense of calmness, which inevitably leads to feeling more relaxed and improved overall mental well-being.

• Less Pain: Regular chair yoga can improve one’s ability to cope with pain. Yoga forces you to focus on your breath, which you’ll find can improve your ability to cope with the pain of an injury or illness.

• Social Opportunities: If you’re looking for an excuse to get out and meet new people, look into gyms around you that offer chair yoga classes or yoga classes for seniors.

Chair Yoga Poses for Seniors

In this section we’ll go over some of the most very basic chair yoga poses for seniors, which everyone of nearly all mobility levels should be capable of doing.

When performing each of these poses, focusing on your breath is key. Controlling your breath will allow you to control the pose and eventually hold it for a longer period of time.

Also be sure to stay focused on your spine when performing these poses. Keeping your spine rigid and straight will ensure your are practicing the pose safely and effectively.

With all of that said, here are some examples of chair yoga poses for seniors.

Candle Pose

• Extend arms straight into the air
• Press palms together, forming the tip of a candle
• Hold for 30 seconds

Raised Hands Pose

• Extend arms straight into the air
• If possible, extend legs forward as well
• Hold pose for 30 seconds

Forward Bend Pose

• Extend arms forward
• Bend down, keep back straight
• Try to touch toes, if possible
• Hold pose for 30 seconds, repeat 3 times

Forward Bend Pose With Shoulder Stretch

• Bend forward
• Extend arms back
• Grip fingers together and hold stretch for 30 seconds
• Repeat 3 times

Extended Side Angle Pose

• Keep back straight
• Reach right arm down toward right foot
• Hold pose for 30 seconds, repeat 3 times
• Repeat for left side

Seated Spinal Twist

• Turn body to left side
• Try to stretch until your torso is perpendicular with the back of the chair
• Hold pose for 30 seconds, repeat 3 times
• Repeat for right side

Table Pose

• Put palms behind you on seat of chair
• Raise hips until body forms a solid straight line
• Hold pose for 30 seconds, repeat 3 times

Star Pose

• Extends arms and legs outward (forming a star)
• Hold pose for 30 seconds, repeat 3 times

Conclusion

The examples of chair yoga poses for seniors described above can be combined to create your very first chair yoga routine. Practice as often as you feel you can. If the poses start feeling “too easy”, try holding them for longer periods of time or extending your range of motion.

For more information about limited mobility exercises, we recommend reading some of our previous articles:

 

• Wheelchair Exercises

• How to Do Abdominal Exercises in a Wheelchair

• How Wheelchair Users Can Get the Exercise They Need

 

 

Spring and summer will be here soon, which means vacation time! A vacation is synonymous with hassle-free relaxation. Truth be told if you’re traveling with an individual with special mobility needs, keeping your vacation as relaxing as possible requires careful planning up front.

Without doing your homework on where you’re about to go, and the best attractions to see while you’re there, you could end up traveling to a location that isn’t equipped to meet mobility needs.

The good news is wheelchair accessible vacations, including wheelchair accessible beaches, are easier to plan for than ever before. We believe every stage of your vacation should be as hassle-free as possible, even the planning process. So we’ve gone ahead and done the research to find you the top rated wheelchair accessible vacation spots available.

Whether you want to travel abroad, stay within the United States, or just stay in New Jersey, we’ve got you covered. There’s a mix of everything on this list of wheelchair accessible vacations, so get your passport ready, you’re about to get the travel inspiration you’ve been looking for.

Wheelchair Accessible Beaches

When people think of going on vacation, many automatically think of going to the beach. Fortunately, the number of wheelchair accessible beaches is on the rise in large part due to specialized beach wheelchairs.

Wheelchair accessible beaches allow the individual to use one of these specialized wheelchairs to not only enjoy the sandy shores, but go right into the water’s edge itself. It’s also becoming more common for beaches to offer beach wheelchairs on-site, meaning it’s not something extra you’ll have to travel with.

New Jersey
You won’t necessarily have to go far to enjoy wheelchair accessible beaches. Avalon and Stone Harbor beaches right here in New Jersey offer beach wheelchairs by reservation, with wheelchair accessible boardwalks to enjoy them on. In addition to their beach accessibility, Avalon and Stone Harbor host several events throughout the summer, offering a great combination of relaxation and entertainment!

Hawaii
If you’re looking to travel a little further than NJ, Hanauma Bay and Kailua Beach Park in Honolulu, Hawaii, offer beach wheelchairs at no extra charge to vacationers with special mobility needs. Hanauma Bay offers two beach wheelchairs available for those who make a reservation in advance. Both wheelchairs have large balloon tires available and you can wheel them right into the water. Hanauma Bay also offers a tram that can take people using wheelchairs from the parking lot to the beach area.

If Hawaii is on your bucket list, make sure to check Honolulu’s official website for a complete list of wheelchair accessible beaches in the area.

California
Another state known for its gorgeous beaches is California. The state is also particularly accommodating to those with special mobility needs. Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and La Jolla, all in San Diego County, are all wheelchair accessible beaches with beach wheelchairs available on-site. Ocean Beach not only has accessible parking and bathrooms, but it also offers beach wheelchairs to their patrons. Downtown Ocean Beach, which begins at the southern end of the beach, has a plethora of clothing boutiques, antique stores, cafés, restaurants, and bars.

San Diego has done an extraordinary job turning its beaches into wheelchair accessible vacations, which are visited by people from all over the country. If California sounds appealing, make sure to check their comprehensive list of accessible beaches in San Diego.

Wheelchair Accessible Theme Parks

Another popular vacation destination is theme parks, and many of them are exceptionally accommodating to those with special mobility needs. Disney theme parks in particular have built a reputation on going above and beyond to accommodate those in wheelchairs with everything from accessible ride passes, ramps to the top attractions, accessible on-site resorts, and accessible shuttles to and from the parks. For wheelchair accessible vacations that include theme parks, we recommend looking no further than what Disney has to offer.  

Wheelchair Accessible Museums & Historical Sites

For the traveler who wishes to take in some of the world’s finest in history and culture, many world-renowned museums are outfitted for those with mobility needs. Here are some ideas for wheelchair accessible vacations that include museums and historical sites.  

Not far from New Jersey is the The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which offers offers tours specifically for individuals with mobility needs. Feel like grabbing a bite afterwards? There’s a wheelchair accessible Shake Shack on 86th street, about half a mile from the museum. Beautiful art and delicious burgers on the same trip? Sounds like a great trip!

For those looking to travel abroad, London, England offers some highly accessible attractions such as the Tate Modern Museum and the Science Museum. Believe it or not, Stonehenge is one of the few historical sites in the world that offers wheelchair accessible paths for visitors.

Who can forget about Paris, France, which is home to one of the world’s most famous museums. Of course, we’re talking about The Louvre. This museum is wheelchair accessible, though it’s not immediately obvious upon entering. You’ll have to make sure to ask for an accessibility map, which will point you toward all of the accessible paths and elevators throughout the building.

Conclusion

Whether you’re planning a vacation around enjoying scenic beaches, exciting theme parks, or taking in some world history, there are many options for wheelchair accessible vacations available to you.  

Having a wheelchair maintenance checklist makes it easier to stick to a regular maintenance routine, which is paramount for keeping a wheelchair in good condition. With regular maintenance you can prevent accidents and/or malfunctions caused by improper care of the equipment.

In this post we will provide you with an easy-to-follow wheelchair maintenance checklist, which we recommend referring to or passing along to your care provider in order to ensure your safety while extending the longevity of the wheelchair.

Wheelchair Maintenance Checklist: General Recommendations

Here is a list of general recommendations for day-to-day use of your wheelchair:

• Before getting out of the wheelchair, make sure brakes are locked. If using a powered wheelchair, turn the power off before exiting. This will prevent slips and falls that could come from accidental movement of the wheelchair.
• Do not carry heavy loads on the back of the wheelchair. This could put unnecessary strain on the chair by exceeding the maximum weight capacity, and even cause the chair to tip over.
• This should go without saying, but do not let children play with the wheelchair. A wheelchair is not a toy, and that message should be made clear. Also don’t let them ride on the footrests or battery case, as there’s a high probability they will break if you do.
• Avoid caster flutter, which is something that can happen if the wheelchair moves side to side at high speeds. It’s recommended that you replace casters as soon as possible if they flutter.
• Wheelchairs do not hold up well when in contact with moisture, therefore it’s recommended to use wheelchair snow tires in the winter and cover up any electronic components if using a powered wheelchair.

Wheelchair Maintenance Checklist: Individual Parts

Here is a list of recommendations for individual parts of a standard wheelchair:

Arms

• Check for screws protruding from the armrest padding.
• Check the detachable arms and make sure they’re secure, but not overly tightened.
• Check that adjustable-height arms firmly lock into place.
• Check arm locks and make sure they are fully functional.
• Check side panels for sharp edges and ensure fasteners are tightened.

Back

• Check material for rips and tears.
• Check the nuts and bolts which secure the material and make sure they are tight.
• Check for other damage which may be present in the back brace joints or safety belts.
• Make sure the headrest is working properly.

Wheels

• Check tire pressure.
• Check wheel locks to make sure they securely grip the wheel and adequately prevent the wheelchair from moving.
• When checking wheel locks, make sure the rubber tips are present and not damaged.
• Wheels should spin straight without any wobbling.
• Make sure spokes are tight and that there are none missing.
• There should be no gaps between the rims and tires; hub caps should be securely in place.
• Check for any other noticeable signs of wear in the wheels. This includes spinning them to make sure they turn smoothly.

Casters

• Check for bending on the sides and stem of the forks and retaining mechanisms. The stem should be firmly attached to the fork.
• Check for signs of excessive usage in the stem bearing, casters should not flutter at high speeds.
• Bearings should not be excessively wobbly. Felt washers and/or string guards should always be present.
• Check caster housing by rolling the chair on a level surface. If the wheelchair veers off more than a foot in a 10 foot distance then check for signs of damage. This could include improper alignment of housing on the frame, as well bent forks and stems.  
• At no point should there be grease leaking from the wheel axles or joints.

Foot and Leg Rests

• Check the locks and make sure they’re fully functional.
• Check the footplates and make sure they’re stable at any angle.
• Engage the footrest length-adjustment mechanism and make sure it is functioning properly. Check the adjustment rod for any scratches, as scratches could lead to malfunctions.  
• Check for any other signs of excessive wear on the foot rests, including the foot rest bumpers.

Conclusion

A wheelchair is just like any other vehicle or personal transportation device — regular maintenance is required to ensure optimal functionality. It’s best if you can get into a regular maintenance routine, such as picking one day out of each month to check your wheelchair from top to bottom. It may sound like a chore, but keeping this checklist by your side will help to speed up and streamline the process.