April 9, 2020
Below are 4 tips for dealing with spring allergies.
#1: Wash Away Pollen
Pollen can cling to fabric. To reduce the amount of pollen in your aging relative’s home, wash sheets every week in hot water. In addition, older adults should wash their hair and take a shower before going to bed at night. Pollen can collect in the hair and be transferred to bedding where it will linger.
An elderly care provider can assist with stripping the senior’s bed each week and washing the bedding. In addition, the elderly care provider can assist them to safely bathe at night, helping to prevent a fall.
#2: Keep an Eye on the Pollen Count
Allergies can be worse when pollen counts are particularly high. Most local television and radio stations broadcast daily pollen counts, or at least indicate when the counts are high. On days when pollen levels are high, seniors with allergies should stay indoors as much as possible. It’s also a good idea to keep windows closed and use an air conditioner to cool the house instead.
An elderly care provider can check the daily pollen count and offer indoor activities to keep the senior busy when they cannot go outside.
Shoes can collect and track in allergens. To prevent them from being tracked around the house, the senior and all guests who enter their homes should remove their shoes at the door. Consider placing a bench or chair near the door, so the senior can sit down while they remove their shoes.
Elderly care can help your older family member to take their shoes off and put on house shoes or slippers when they return from outside.
If the senior must go outside when pollen counts are high, wearing a mask can help reduce allergy symptoms. Look for a mask that is marked N95, which means it will filter out 95 percent of particles.
An elderly care provider can remind the older adult to wear a mask and assist them with putting it on before leaving the house.
Sources
Webmd.com
Mayoclinic.org
Everydayhealth.com
