The rains have kept North Texans from enjoying the outdoors as much as we might have liked this spring.  With summer just around the corner, many of us will be venturing out for some sunshine and fresh air.  Here are 10 tips to keep seniors healthy and safe this summer:

1. Stay Hydrated:  Try to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day. By the time you start to feel thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. The feeling of thirst decreases as we age, so seniors must consciously increase water intake during periods of prolonged physical activity. Avoid caffeinated drinks as they can contribute to dehydration. If you know you’ll be outside for a long period, plan ahead and pack water to take with you.
2. Dress Appropriately.  Remember the 5 L’s – Layered, Loose, Lightweight, Light-colored, Long sleeves.  Layers allow you to go from the cooler mornings and evenings to the warmer part of the day.  Loose and  lightweight clothing allows your skin to breath better than tight fitting, heavier garments.  Light colors reflect the sun and are therefore cooler.  Long sleeves protect your skin from harmful UV rays.  A wide brimmed hat is also important for protecting your face, ears and neck.
3. Protect Your Eyes.  Vision problems are common among seniors and too much exposure to the sun can irritate eyes and cause further damage. Glasses or sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays can help reduce the cumulative effect the sun can have on cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
4. Wear sunscreen.  Look for a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more. Be sure to apply it 15-30 minutes before you will be exposed to the sun. If you’re enjoying water activities, be sure to reapply your sunscreen frequently – even if it says it is “waterproof”.
5. Know the signs of heat stroke. Symptoms of hyperthermia, or heat stroke, include body temperature of 104+, confusion, disorientation, agitation, dry, flushed skin, headache, lethargy, nausea and vomiting, rapid pulse, and fainting. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
6. Plan activities for morning or evening. Try to limit your outdoor activity to the times of day when the temperatures are lower and the sun isn’t beating down on you.
7. Turn on your air conditioning. A closed up home without air conditioning can be a dangerous place in the heat of the summer.  Many seniors don’t want to run up their electric bill so they avoid running their air.  Consider spending the hottest part or the day with friends or family who have air conditioning or at a shopping mall, senior center, or movie theater. If you need assistance with your utility bills, there are many state and local programs that can help.  Check with your electric company or city government to find out what is available to you and what the requirements are.
8. Check on Friends and Family. Get to know your neighbors so you can look out for one another.  Check on friends and relatives, especially those who do not have air conditioning. Plan outings together in places that have air conditioning.
9. Know Your Medications: If you take daily medications, review the potential side effects. Some medications can increase sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you are unsure, call your doctor or pharmacist with any questions.
10. Know Who to Call.  Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers and place them in an easy to access area.  If you aren’t feeling well or need help, don’t be afraid to call for help.

Senior Downsizing Experts Offer Solutions for a Smooth Transition

As senior adults and their families begin to face the challenges of “downsizing" -- a move for the elder from a larger family home into a smaller home, apartment, or senior living community -- they can feel overwhelmed.  Many don't know where to start or what their options are. 

To help Dallas/Fort Worth seniors and their families to better deal with the complexities involved in late-life moves, Senior Downsizing Experts Ingrid and John Sullivan have put together a casual and interactive workshop entitled  “Downsizing Made Easy."   The next free events are as follows:

                April 9 at Brookdale Arlington (formerly Town Village) from 2:30 to 4:00

                April 18 at the Lake Arlington Branch of the Arlington Public Library from 10:30 to noon

                April 22 at Atria at Hometown in North Richland Hills from 2:00 to 3:30

 During their hour-and-a-half presentation, the Sullivans discuss questions to consider before making a move, senior living options in the DFW area, questions for touring senior living communities, tips for hiring various professionals related to the moving process, guidance on estate sales, and more.   They urge attendees to look at all of the options available for a new chapter of life that requires less maintenance and allows for more freedom and fun.  

 "In many cases home ownership proves to be a financial burden and a source of isolation for seniors.  While remaining in the home may have been a goal earlier in life, by the time home ownership starts to feel unmanageable, the prospect of evaluating other options and actually moving, can be completely overwhelming," says Ingrid.  “As a DFW Realtor specializing in the 55+ real estate market, it is my goal to insure that older adults and their families are adequately equipped and aware of all the senior living options and resources available to them.  This part of my job is a great joy. Seniors and their families often don't know which way to turn when making these important decisions and we are happy to be here to help."

 For more information, or to register for one of the free seminars, please visit www.seniordownsizingexperts.com or call 817-635-1043.

 About The Sullivans:  

The  Sullivan & Sullivan Team of Keller Williams Arlington have made it their mission to help older adults navigate the obstacles they face as they begin thinking about downsizing and selling their home.   The Sullivans have completed extensive training and are both certified Senior Real Estate Specialist® by the National Association of Realtors.  Ingrid has also achieved the more in-depth Certified Senior Housing Professional (CSHP®) designation through the Seniors Real Estate Institute.   The Sullivans have managed late-in-life moves for hundreds of clients - including their own parents - and are aware of how emotional and complicated the process can be.   Their message to seniors and their families:  "You Are Not Alone."

The Sullivan & Sullivan Team at Keller Williams Realty in Arlington, Texas has assembled a team of experts to conduct an informative seminar on the ins and outs of the reverse mortgage.  Experts include representatives from Colonial Mortgage, Ideal Floors, Brightstar Care and Old Republic Title.  They will explain how exactly the reverse mortgage works and what the funds can be used for.   The dinner workshop will be held on Thursday, January 22 at 5:00 p.m. at the Dickey's Barbecue Pit in South Arlington.

A Home Equity Collateral Mortgage, or Reverse Mortgage as it is commonly known, enables seniors age 62 and up to convert their home's equity into cash while retaining ownership of their home.  There are no monthly payments and repayment is deferred as long as the borrower lives in their home.  The funds can be used in a number of ways. 

While the reverse mortgage may seem like a new concept based on the increase in advertising in recent years, the first reverse mortgage loan was actually written in 1961 by Nelson Haynes of Deering Savings & Loan in Portland, ME.  The loan helped Nellie Young, the young widow of a high school football coach, stay in her home despite the loss of her husband's income.

In the early 1980’s the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging issued a report stating the need for a standardized reverse mortgage program. Throughout the mid 80’s, other committees cited the need for FHA insurance and uniform lending practices. In late 1987 Congress passed the FHA insurance bill which would insure reverse mortgages. On February 5, 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed the FHA Reverse Mortgage bill into law.

Unfortunately, the reverse mortgage is a source of many myths and misconceptions.  Consumers need to be educated on the product before deciding whether or not it is appropriate for their needs - and it is important to have the correct information. 

Michelle White from Ideal Flooring says her company helps older adults make their homes more "aging- friendly."   Some homes have flooring that isn't suitable for those who have mobility issues or require the use of a walker or wheelchair.  "We can help you refresh your flooring so, as you age, it will accommodate your mobility needs, making navigation of any type easier for you." 

"A reverse mortgage can help older adults stay in their homes as long as possible and avoid nursing homes," says Jenna Robinson of BrightStar care, a home healthcare company.  Some of their clients have used reverse mortgage funds to hire in-home help for both medical and non-medical needs. 

Ingrid Sullivan, a Certified Senior Housing Professional (CSHP®) and co-owner of the Sullivan & Sullivan real estate team, has devoted herself to making things easier for her senior clients and their families.  "Many seniors are in homes that aren't appropriate for 'aging in place.'  They may be in a home that is larger than what they need or requires repairs that aren't feasible for them.  Perhaps they need a home without stairs, or a yard that requires less maintenance.  A reverse mortgage can help them purchase a new home that is better suited to their current and/or future needs."  Sullivan urges seniors to make decisions about their late-in-life housing arrangements well before they get to the point that decisions have to be made for them.  "It's never too early to become informed," she emphasizes.

For more information about the Sullivan & Sullivan Team or to register for the dinner workshop, please visit www.SeniorDownsizingExperts.com.