Safety Swimming Tips For Older Adults

The swimming season is just around the corner, and that means that people are getting excited at the prospect of getting to swim every single day. For many pool owners, the wintertime is when their pool is left covered up and unused. But the opposite is true for the summer months. If you want to enjoy swimming with your loved ones, then you’ll need to take their safety into account as well.

If you have elderly people living with you, or if you want to invite the elderly to swim in your pool, then ensuring they are safe is important. In the same way you would protect your kids or even your pets when they’re around the pool, you’ll need to care for your old parents, grandparents, and other seniors who might come by your pool.

For the elderly, swimming is great exercise. Swimming is a low-impact exercise and can also improve the cardiovascular health of a person. At the same time, people can enjoy it while burning calories.

Swimming And How It’s Beneficial For The Elderly

Swimming is a kind of exercise that is often recommended by health experts for the elderly, especially those who have mobility challenges. This is as exercising in water is much easier for them, and also painless.

Older adults dealing with arthritis, joint inflammation and other mobility issues, will be able to find relief from spending time in the pool. They can also do basic exercises in your fibreglass pool, which can help them stay in shape as well. Compared to high-impact exercises like running and jogging, swimming can be a much easier option for seniors.

Those who need support while swimming can use kickboards, pool noodles and even pool floaties, to stay floating in the pool water. But anytime you invite seniors to use your pool, there are some safety concerns that you should take note of as well. These include the following.

  • Don’t Allow Them To Swim Alone

Even swimmers who have years of experience can run into trouble in the water. For the elderly, the risks are even higher. A senior person could suddenly find themselves feeling dizzy in the water, or they could get a cramp at an unfortunate time.

Seniors should never be allowed to swim alone, in case they encounter a situation where they need help. If they have a home health aide that cares for them, ask them to monitor the senior person while they are in the pool.

Keep an eye out for what the senior person is doing, while they are in the pool. Help them to get in and out of the pool as well. Watch out for slippery surfaces when moving around beside the pool as well.

  • Wearing Sunscreen

Anytime a senior person goes outside during the summer, they should wear sunscreen. The intense heat of the sun’s rays during the summer months can be very damaging to the skin of senior people. Note what kind of sunscreen they are using as well.

They shouldn’t be using sunscreen that can easily wash off in the water in your pool. If a senior person wants to swim, they should first purchase sunscreen that is both waterproof as well as sweatproof. They should also reapply it multiple times, in order to ensure that their skin is protected.

Sunscreen should be applied once every two hours during the summer months. Ask the elderly person to stay in the shade as well, as much as possible.

  • Providing Snacks

Older adults who go swimming will end up burning a lot of calories. This is why it’s not uncommon for an elderly person to find that their blood sugar level has dropped, after an intense period of swimming. This is why you should have some healthy snacks ready, by the side of your Swimming Pools Newcastle.

Ensure that snacks are easily available throughout the day. Snacks like protein bars and smoothies are great for seniors and can help them feel energised after swimming. You can also opt to get granola bars or provide fruit. Senior people using your pool should also have access to clean drinking water. They should be drinking water throughout the day to keep themselves hydrated.

  • Bringing Cover Clothing

When a senior person isn’t swimming, they may need something to cover their body with. This is why you should advise seniors who are about to use your pool to bring a jacket, a shrug, or something loose to wear above their swimming suit when they won’t be swimming.

Just a long-sleeved t-shirt with comfortable pants can be great for lounging around. They should try to ensure, however, that their clothing article is made of breathable fabrics. Examples of breathable fabrics are cotton and linen. When they aren’t swimming in the pool, older adults should ensure that their skin is protected from the sun’s rays, by covering themselves up. Light-coloured clothing is often a better idea, as dark colours retain heat. If a senior person wears dark-coloured clothes while lounging by the pool under the sun, they could find themselves feeling unbearably hot.

  • Swimming In The Shallow Region

Older adults should only swim in the shallow part of their fibreglass pool. If they do go into the deep end, then ensure that you watch them closely to see if they need any help. It’s possible for your loved one to suddenly encounter a situation where they need help. They may have a cramp on their foot or they could find it difficult to stay above the water.

Someone who knows swimming well should be around in case they suddenly need help.

Conclusion

Swimming can be great fun for people of all ages, but when you invite elderly people to use your pool, their safety should be at the top of your mind. Advise the elderly to bring a good sunscreen and light-coloured clothing with them. Have a shaded area ready next to your pool, alongside healthy snacks and drinks.

Ensure that someone is always monitoring any older adults in your pool, in case they need help. By following these safety tips, you can enjoy having fun in your fibreglass pool with your loved ones.

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