Seniors and the Summer...

For over 60 years, Walsh’s Pharmacy has believed that people within our community, at large, deserve the best health care services and advice that we can provide. It is with this in mind that Walsh’s has committed to providing  those in our community, and beyond, with programs, products and services which help to meet the demands of a busy life  and lifestyle.

One of the more significant lifestyle adjustments we make is the one from middle age to senior citizen. According to the 2011 Census, there are almost 5 million people aged 65 and older in Canada. As we get older, we find we have to adjust to meet a variety of changes and challenges in our daily lives. None can be more dramatic than those involving senior citizens who must cope with the fact that activities once handled with ease are often more physically taxing than they previously experienced, and take longer to do.

One of the single most important things seniors can do for themselves to reduce the risk of age-related decline is exercise- plain, ordinary, every-day exercise. A recent study found that moderate exercise- a 40 minute walk, 3 times a week for instance, is not only good for the body, but also the mind. Extreme weather conditions, of course, would be cause for adjustment to this suggestion. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, less than half of Canadians aged 40 years and older are regularly involved in some form of physical activity.

Conferring with your health care provider can help to improve conditions of lifestyle at home, both indoors and out. If mobility is an issue, then perhaps visiting Walsh’s health & lifestyle centre might provide some of the tools to improve health and well-being.

With extreme summer weather conditions being more and more of a consideration, you should always be alert to the circumstances of being sun safe, as well as being aware of heat and humidity, before embarking on any outdoor activity. Conditions of high heat and humidity can be particularly challenging for seniors.

Being sun safe means remembering to limit sun exposure during the day, particularly between 10 am and 4 pm. Seek shade as much as possible, or use an umbrella when outdoors. As well, wear an appropriate level sunscreen which your health care provider can recommend; wear a wide-brim hat and sunglasses with proper UVA/UVB protection.

As with most activities, moderation should always be your guideline, and always, always check with your health care provider to ensure that any exercise regimen you embark on, in any form, is right for you.

Enjoy a healthy and safe summer.