May 26th is National Heat Awareness Day. This is a good time to stop and look at your mom's home. If she's going to age in place, as her caregiver you need to take measures to make sure she's not overheating on the hottest days of summer.
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Caregiver Long Island NY - Five Energy-Efficient Ways to Cool Your Mom's Home[/caption]
Bring in Cooler Night Air
Before your mom goes to bed, set up window fans in as many windows as possible and turn them on to bring in the cooler night air. Before the sun starts heating the house, make sure you trap that cooler air using the next step.
Close Doors, Windows, and Curtains
When it's hot out, shut doors and windows. Use light-blocking curtains to keep the sunlight from coming in and heating up the home. If your mom doesn't have curtains, hanging sheets or towels will help.
Create an Icy Blast
Fill a bowl with ice and place it in front of a fan. When you turn on the fan, the melting ice will help cool the breeze. If your mom has space in the freezer, you can fill a metal bowl and place it right in the freezer to create one large block of ice.
Don't Rule Out Air Conditioning
Your mom can stay comfortable using an air conditioner. You will need to invest in an energy-efficient model, but they're not as expensive as they once were. These air conditioners have built-in thermostats that turn the unit on and off to keep the room at a set temperature. You can also save money by shutting off rooms your mom doesn't use.
Keep Appliances Turned Off
Many of today's appliances give off decent amounts of heat. The TV is one appliance you've probably noticed gives off a lot of warmth. A computer is another. On the hottest days, skip TV or computer use and read books or play board games instead. You also don't want to turn on the oven. Stick to sandwiches, salads, or grilled fare.
Hire a team of caregivers to check on your mom when you can't be there. A caregiver service can help you get the right team together at a schedule that makes sure your mom is well looked after. Don't worry about her independence being taken from her. Caregivers are there to help and offer companionship. With a home care service, your mom can age at home safely and have someone there to make sure your mom doesn't overheat.