Labor Day is one of the most popular holidays in the U.S. In fact, over 200 million Americans plan to celebrate Labor Day in 2025, according to NerdWallet. The weekend represents the transition from summer to autumn and marks the beginning of school for many families.
While Labor Day is filled with celebrations and fun, the holiday can also present many challenges for seniors in California, MD. In this guide, we will cover senior-friendly safety tips for seasonal wellness in California, MD.
Let's dive into Labor Day safety tips.
Since Labor Day falls in late summer, temperatures are still warm in many areas. Excessive sweating from heat means that you will experience dehydration more quickly.
Ensure you always have water on hand, especially when participating in outdoor activities. A reusable water bottle is a great accessory that can allow you to refill when needed, without having to waste money or plastic buying disposable water bottles.
Although the recommended amount of water varies from person to person, Scientific American suggests that well-hydrated people should urinate every two to three hours and that the urine should be a pale yellow in color.
Women should consume approximately 1.6 to 2.1 liters of water a day. Men should consume two to three liters. However, these amounts must increase when temperatures rise or you participate in activities.
If you find it difficult to drink an adequate amount of water, try these tips:
While Labor Day is a great opportunity to engage with your furry friends, you must also take safety precautions to care for their health and well-being. Factors such as excessive heat, dehydration, and loud noises can affect dogs and cats as well as humans.
Provide adequate water resources in multiple locations. If you are outdoors, bring along a portable water bowl so your pup can feel refreshed whenever they need to take a drink. Encourage cats to drink water by flavoring it with sodium-free chicken broth or putting water in their wet food.
While walking your dog around your assisted living community, ensure that the pavement isn't too hot for their paws. For extra precaution, schedule walks for earlier in the morning or later in the evening. Imagine walking barefoot on the hot blacktop; your dog faces the same discomfort during hot weather.
While fireworks are more common for holidays such as the 4th of July or New Year's Eve, there is still a risk of loud noises during Labor Day weekend due to festivities and concerts. Consider talking to your veterinarian to obtain calming medication for your dog or cat so they can feel more at ease.
Holiday precautions for seniors should include staying in contact with loved ones. A key advantage of modern technology is its location tracking abilities.
Enable location sharing so your group is always aware of your location, especially when attending large events. When the risk of getting lost increases, it's vital to maintain communication.
It can be tempting to go outside and make the most of the waning summer season, but rising temperatures can be tricky to navigate, especially for seniors.
Vulnerable demographics are more likely to experience drastic symptoms and heat-related illnesses, so staying indoors during peak heat hours is advisable.
Rather than an afternoon barbecue, for example, reschedule the event for the evening hours and spend time in your apartment during the middle of the day.
Or, you can move afternoon events to earlier in the day, before the sun is too high in the sky.
Eye health is paramount, especially for seniors who may already suffer from vision problems or cataracts. Put on sunglasses whenever you leave the house. Even in cloudy weather, harmful UV rays can penetrate through the clouds and affect your health.
If you have a prescription for glasses, consider investing in prescription sunglasses. You can easily switch out your regular glasses for sunglasses without compromising your visual acuity.
Rising temperatures often cause an uptick in heat-related illnesses. Some of the most prevalent heat-related illnesses include:
Treatment for heat-related illnesses varies based on the person suffering and the severity of their symptoms. For instance, the solution for heat cramps may involve simple hydration, while heatstroke may require hospitalization.
Ready to enjoy a fun and exciting weekend with your loved ones? With these Labor Day safety tips, you can ensure that you can experience a wonderful holiday without additional worry.
Spend your next holiday with us at Discovery Commons at Wildewood. Our assisted living support and memory care safety planning allow our residents to maintain a high quality of life, with dignity and independence. Our amenities include weekly housekeeping services, our Sensations dining room, and daily activities and events to keep our residents entertained and engaged.
Are you considering making the move to assisted living or memory care? Reach out to us today to learn more about our beautiful community in California, MD, or visit us in person to see it for yourself.