Packing a Deck Box for Outdoor Elder Care

By Jamie Shapiro | June 2, 2016 | Comments Off on Packing a Deck Box for Outdoor Elder Care

Elder Care in Buffalo Grove IL

The summer is the time of year when many people head outside to start enjoying the fresh air again. This means that your aging parent is likely to be joining in, heading out with their elder care provider for fun and beneficial activities in the warmth of the summer days. This is fantastic for their mental and emotional health as well as their physical wellbeing. You can encourage your parent to get the most out of their summer outdoor activities by making sure that they have the supplies that they need readily available.

Deck boxes are large, sturdy plastic storage boxes often designed to double as benches. They are perfect for setting out on your deck or for tucking up against the house in the lawn. Durability, weather resistance, and a high capacity make these ideal for stashing away supplies that will help your parent stay safe, healthy, and comfortable while enjoying time outside during the summer months.

 

Some items that you may want to consider storing in your parent’s deck box for their outdoor elder care experiences include:

  • Bottled water. Hydration is critical to health at any time of the year, but it can be especially challenging to get enough of it during the summer months when the temperatures soar and the humidity creeps up. The high temperatures and humidity make it more difficult for the body to stay cool, meaning more of the fluids inside it are pulled away from the various systems to aid in the cooling. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day, especially when hot or sweating, is essential to keeping them healthy and comfortable all summer. Store only factory-sealed purified water as water from the tap that is put in containers can contain contaminants that will thrive in the warmth and darkness of the box.
  • First aid kit. Outdoor activities always carry risks. During the summer your parent might encounter insect bites, stings, scrapes, scratches, cuts, and various other minor injuries. Having a first aid kit immediately accessible means that they will get prompt attention and then can return to their activity.
  • Bug repellant. Nothing ruins outdoor summer activities quite as quickly as uninvited pests swarming in. From gnats and flies to mosquitos and ticks, these summertime bug are not only unpleasant but they can also lead to uncomfortable or even painful bites and stings. These can then cause your parent to scratch at their skin, making them vulnerable to infection and illness. A bottle of bug repellant in the box can let your parents spritz on some protection and keep enjoying the nice weather. Make sure you look for plastic bottles with pump dispensers as opposed to metal aerosol cans as these can explode in heat.
  • Extra key. When temperatures get high even a short time outside can become dangerous. Store an extra key in the box so that if your parent gets accidentally locked outside, they will be able to get back in. Consider keeping it in a lockbox with a code for extra security and tell their elderly health care services provider the code.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Buffalo Grove, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

 

 

Jamie Shapiro
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