As a follow up to my blog about safety issues with seniors, I found another important handout on Alzheimer's Disease and wandering.  It provides good information, tips, and resources.  Please check out In Search of the Alzheimer's Wanderer by Mark Warner.  Mark is also in charge of the Alzheimer's Daily News, a publication of the Ageless Design Research Foundation.  He sends daily emails regarding news and information about Alzheimer's Disease.  To subscribe to this free publication, check out his website at www.alznews.org.

Summertime is always great to be outdoors, but with the high temperatures, the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke are high.  Heat exhaution is caused by exposure to high temperatures and inadequate replacement of fluids.  Those most at risk for heat exhaustion are seniors, people with high blood pressure, and people who work outdoors the majority of the day.  Warning signs include:  heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea/vomiting, and fainting.  The person's skin may be cool and wet, pulse may be fast and weak, and breathing may become fast and shallow.  If the person is not treated, it may progress to a heat stroke.  To help prevent heat exhaustion, have readily available cool, non-alcoholic beverages, stop and rest every 1-2 hours when outside, wear lightweight clothing, take a break in an air-conditioned area, take a cool shower/bath after being outdoors for a long period of time.  For more information, check out WebMD.com.