I was reminded of this just this morning. I went outside to check on something and my husband followed me. Not realizing he was there, I turned quickly and almost knocked him down. We then got stuck in the doorway trying to maneuver backwards to a safer location. It is amazing how many new potential falling hazards are located just outside our backdoor. The warmer weather draws us both outside where the ground is not as even nor as familiar to either of us, and that is just at our home.

In addition to an increased risk of falls, the sun is more intense and the medications my husband takes for his Parkinson’s Disease make him more susceptible to burns. This disease interferes with his ability to regulate body temperature and he overheats very easily. His challenges with swallowing often mean he doesn’t drink enough water and, as things heat up, dehydration becomes a greater concern. I love the long days of summer, however, the prolonged light does seem to impact our sleep patterns. We close the blinds around 8 pm to give our brains the idea that it’s getting dark outside, I’m not sure that is going to work. And, our cat is very much dependent on the rising sun so she comes in to wake us around 5 these days.

We are finding ways to enjoy our summer without overdoing it. We have set up two separate areas on our patio, one in the sun and the other in the shade so we can enjoy being outside regardless of the time of day or weather. I minimized obstacles outdoors and strategically placed seating so my husband can easily access it. We try to take short walks in the evening, once the heat of the day has passed. Summer can still be fun as long we keep it hydrated, keep it cool, and always keep it safe.