Trying to think of ways to help an elderly family member beat the heat?

Here are a few ideas for keeping cool in these hot summer months:

• Stay hydrated with water, tea, lemonade, popsicles, or iced pops. Make drinks fun by placing them in a fancy glass, glasses that have been chilled, or glasses with garnishes such as decorative straws, orange slices, lemon slices, or other fruit slices. Share an iced cold drink or treat while you reminisce!
• Have a cool snack such as ice cream or your loved one’s favorite ice cream treats. Also enjoy smoothies made of your favorite fruits, yogurt, and juices.
• Stick feet in a cool tub of water or make it a beautiful footbath to cool down. Be careful to dry your loved one’s feet when finished so they do not slip.
• Enjoy the kiddie pool with the grandkids too! Place a seat at the side of the pool for an elder to stick his feet into.
• Enjoy water toy battles with the grand kids. You can do this from a seated position if needed. Be careful of slippery surfaces.
• Attend a recreation center to swim and/or water walk. Water aerobics and swimming are good exercises and great ways to keep cool. Check with a doctor before your loved one starts any exercise program.
• Puzzles and Games: Play board games, card games, or work on jigsaw puzzles indoors.
• Crafts and Hobbies: Enjoy indoor hobbies like painting, knitting, sewing, or scrapbooking.
• Reminisce by asking fun questions or do an activity like remember the phrases.
• Watching Movies or TV: Have a movie marathon or catch up on favorite TV shows in a cool room.
• Cooking and Baking: Try new recipes that don’t require extensive use of the stove or oven, like salads, smoothies, or no-bake desserts.
• Visit places that have air conditioning. Visit a friend’s home, go shopping, go bowling, or go out to lunch. Also try visiting libraries, museums, and art galleries.
• Bird Watching: Set up a bird feeder near a window and enjoy bird watching from the comfort of home.
• Indoor Gardening: Grow and care for houseplants, which can be a soothing indoor activity.
• Take an online course, watch educational videos, or listen to podcasts on topics of interest.
• Toss water balloons with the grand kids. Have the kids make a bunch of water balloons and toss the water balloons back and forth. If you miss the catch, you may get wet! You can also do this from a seated position. Again, be careful of water balloons that break and result in slippery surfaces.
• Wear hats and sunscreen.
• Eat fruit like watermelon and other fruits with high water content!
• Have an Ice Cream Tasting Party. Purchase various kinds of ice cream and guess the flavor. Make it a contest!