Home Care – Tips for Limiting Time Outside When the AQI Is High
Many states have been dealing with poor air quality for the past month as Canadian wildfires continue to burn. So far 20 states have been impacted with unhealthy air quality ratings. Your mom loves to garden, but she has COPD. She can’t go outside and it’s bothering her.
When you have to limit your mom’s time outside, what can you do to ease her agitation at being stuck inside again? Here are a few tips that will help.
Go Outside on Breezy Days
If your mom really wants to go outside, she should aim for days when it’s breezy and has rained. It’s usually after rain and wind that the air quality improves.
The government’s website AirNow is a good source of information when it comes to the current air quality index and predictions for the next day or two.
Use an N95 Mask
If your mom really must go outside to weed her garden, she needs to wear a mask. An N95 mask will help filter the smoke particles. Even with the mask on, she needs to keep her time outside to a minimum. Try to have her wait to go outside until you or another caregiver is there to help her.
Stock Up on Activities She Can Do Inside
Give your mom plenty to do inside. If she has activities to keep her engaged, she’s less likely to miss going outside. Buy some puzzles for her to work on. Rent or stream some movies she’s been wanting to see.
You know your mom loves to make jam. Buy whatever fruit is in season and purchase enough so that she can spend an afternoon making jam to give to others. If she doesn’t like making jam, look for other things she does like to make, such as bread, pies, or cookies.
Ask Her Doctor for Guidance
Your mom’s doctor can tell you exactly how much time your mom can spend outside. Ask for guidance and then use a timer. If her doctor says she can be outside for 15 minutes when the air quality is under 100, set a timer for 15 minutes.
If you or someone else helps her weed her garden or pick ripe vegetables and fruits, she’ll finish faster and can get back inside.
Hire Caregivers for Companionship
Arrange home care services to ensure your mom has someone to keep her company. With home care services, your mom’s caregiver can drive her to a local museum for a fun day out. She has someone to shop with. They can go to the movies together.
Learn more about home care services by talking to an agency specialist. You’ll get answers to your questions and peace of mind that your mom isn’t risking her health and going outside anyway.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Havertown, PA please contact the caring staff at True Direct Home Health Care today.
Doc, as he is called by everyone - staff, patients and clients - first experienced home health care and hospice care while as a colleg student at King's College as he cared for his mother every day while she first battled COPD and then lung cancer. It was during this time that he came to understand that caring for a patient was more than just clinical expertise.
"Admittedly, my strongest attribute is my communication skills and the simple fact that I love to help people. Even the smallest thing you can do for someone really can mean so much to them long term. In fact, it could change them forever. That's what providing quality personal home health care should be all about."
In his spare time, he cooks for homeless shelters and children's music and arts events. He also is highly involved in his local youth sports soccer academy as a coach and Board member.
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