Keeping Summer Barbecues Safe and Enjoyable for Seniors

For many, nothing beats a leisurely summer barbecue featuring mouthwatering food and ice-cold beverages – especially if there is a refreshing swimming pool involved! It’s a summer rite of passage to spend a sunny afternoon around a grill, enjoying the weather and some music in the backyard. But for our senior loved ones, outdoor summer parties can turn stressful and even dangerous if we’re not careful. It’s important to think about senior safety before we take Mom or Dad to an outdoor event to ensure that a good time can be had by all.

Things to consider before taking a senior loved one to a barbecue:

• Are they up for a party? Ask yourself if your mom or dad are both physically AND mentally fit to attend a crowded outdoor gathering. Seniors are more susceptible to heat exhaustion in the warm summer weather than their younger counterparts, and, while it’s important they have a chance to socialize and have some fun, some seniors find large, noisy crowds to be upsetting. Are they genuinely excited about going or are they going because you want them to? If the stress isn’t worth it to them, maybe they’d be better off doing something else instead while you enjoy the party. It might be a good time to seek out respite care so you can take a well-deserved break from your caregiving responsibilities knowing they are in good hands.

• Is the party up for them? Seniors have a variety of needs younger folks might take for granted. Is the site of the party accessible for older people with mobility issues? Is the host prepared to make accommodations for senior loved ones, or are they more likely to be engrossed in the party themselves? Will there be other older people there, or will your special guest feel out of place and without someone to visit with? It’s a good idea to ask these questions before you go.

• Have a seat. It’s also a great idea to check ahead with the host to make sure that your senior loved one has a place where they can take a break. Older people often can’t stay on their feet as long as their younger family members, so it’s important they have a chance to sit down – even better if that spot is indoors and air conditioned! While we’re on the subject of accommodations, is there an accessible bathroom to suit their needs? It’s worth having a conversation with the party host.

• What’s on the menu? Does your mom or dad have a special diet? If so, you should check ahead to make sure that there’s something being served that they can eat or if you will need to bring something for them. Also, common party drinks like soda, alcoholic beverages, and iced tea contain things like sugar and caffeine that seniors can’t tolerate well. Make sure they have plenty of their drink of choice and something tasty that they can eat so they don’t feel left out of the party. If they require extra assistance with their food, like cutting their meat or removing their corn from the cob so they can eat it more easily, it’s a good idea to do that discreetly in the kitchen. It can be humiliating in the mind of our senior loved ones to have people see you cut their food at the table for them.

• Safety first: There are plenty of hazards at a barbecue including a hot grill, coolers and tote bags strewn across the ground posing tripping hazards, plus the possibility of heat stroke, sunburn and other risks. Make sure you keep yourself available to your senior loved one and that you have the things they need close at hand, so they don’t have to make unnecessary trips. Also, try to be strategic when settling them in for a fun day. Wherever they choose to hang out should be away from potential hazards like running children, the smokey and scorching barbecue, and in a place that’s cool and shady.

Summertime and Senior Safety

It takes a lot of preparation to make sure Mom or Dad is comfortable at a barbecue, especially if they have memory care needs, anxiety or other conditions to navigate.

If your senior loved one would enjoy nothing more than some tasty grilled fare with friends in the backyard, maybe consider planning a party yourself that will be perfect for them to celebrate the warm summer days. Invite some of their friends and family members so they’ll have lots of people to visit with, consult with them about the menu so you know their favorites will be included, pick a time or a date when the temperature is likely to be cooler and a place where they’re familiar with the facilities, then throw the perfect party just for them!

For more senior safety tips, visit Bethesda’s Health & Wellness blog.