What Seniors Who Love the Outdoors Need to Know About the UV Index
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What Seniors Who Love the Outdoors Need to Know About the UV Index

Senior Helpers® is a leading organization that provides home care for older persons and specialized companionship or assistance to those who need help with daily living activities. As such a large provider of in-home care in South Orange County, there's plenty of information to share about what to do in a Mediterranean climate and UV Index as it pertains to older people who love being outside. Many people move to Southern California to bask in the warm late summers, appreciate the scenic beaches, and avoid the severe winters in more northern places. 

People tend to retain the same habits and interests throughout life, such as gardening, taking strolls, reading books in the park, and taking care of animals outside. Perhaps, as a caregiver or older person yourself, you are already familiar with the basics of staying cool in the summer, like wearing appropriate clothing, using sunscreen, and staying away from direct heat when necessary due to prior experience. The way to master summer's heat, especially those August days in the Greater Los Angeles area, is to take into account the UV index and plan accordingly. 

What is the UV Index? Why is it important? 

The UV index is short for the ultraviolet index and refers to the kind of light wavelength that causes burns and damage to the body's skin and eye damage and is another paradigm to consider when gauging the weather reports. The weather reports will already include the actual temperature in Fahrenheit and Celsius, the humidity, and air pollution data. When caring for older people in Irvine, South Orange County, Santa Ana, and Tustin, it's crucial to remind people to also consider the UV index. Scientists pioneered the idea of the UV index after noting a correlation between sunburn and the level of radiation from the sun's rays based on the time of day, location, etc. 

The World Health Organization popularized this concept in the early 1990s, which is why it is included in public health information like weather reports. The UV Index is a scale from 0 to 11+, and the lower numbers represent a "Low" risk of UV damage and burns. The middle numbers on the scale represent the "Moderate" risk of harm from ultraviolet light. Lastly, the highest numbers on the scale indicate "High" and "Extreme" risk, which should be taken into consideration when planning activities for those with sensitivity to the sun. 

It is important to take the UV index into account during the summer because each level has additional suggestions to protect people in the summer that correspond to the level of ultraviolet light. When it involves an older population that still wants to enjoy the great outdoors, then learning about the UV scale can help them figure out when they can safely enjoy their hobbies. 

Here are some of the levels and related suggestions: 

  • 0-2 are the lightest days, and mild sunscreen is recommended. Wear light layers on this kind of day, consider sunglasses, and avoid staring at bright surfaces if possible. 
  • 3-5 is "Moderate" and indicates that people wear more protective gear like hats and sunscreen and keep applying sunscreen at regular intervals. It's also time to avoid being outside at noon when sun exposure is strong. 
  • 6-7 is "High," and most weather forecasts will recommend that the public avoid spending much time outside between late morning and before the evening. Again, applying sunscreen liberally and wearing protective clothing are recommended. 
  • 8-10 are "Very High" levels of UV light, which means people can become burned easily. All of the suggestions from the prior categories apply, and older people should exercise great caution against burns at this level.
  • 11+ is "Extreme," and individuals 65 and older should follow all the aforementioned advice and practice extreme caution outside. When the UV Index is at this level, the skin may burn within minutes. 

While UV exposure and fears of damage from the sun are unpleasant, it is possible to still enjoy life outside as a caregiver or an older person. Just remember to look up the UV scale and follow the instructions for that level. The stronger the UV level, the more layers and protective gear to wear, the more necessary it is to apply sunscreen, and remember that higher numbers indicate that it's time to avoid certain hours outside when possible. In short, take some time to go over the UV scale since sunburns are avoidable high-related injuries, and this scale can help prevent them.