From Guest Blogger Devin Morrissey: How to Help Seniors Thrive in High-Pollution Areas

Getting outside and getting a breath of fresh air has never been harder. In fact, air pollution is one of the world’s biggest killers; according to the World Health Organization, air pollution leads to the premature death of over 7 million people every year. On top of that, millions of others develop chronic cardiovascular and respiratory conditions from pollution.

As a result, planning for safe living arrangements for seniors can be stressful, to say the least. Given these shocking statistics, the idea of helping an elderly loved one live comfortably and healthily in an area like this may seem impossible.

However, there are ways to overcome the challenges associated with high air pollution. Earlier this year, I covered some tips for those pursuing a healthy lifestyle in high-pollution areas. Today, let’s look at some practical steps you can take to ensure the well-being of your senior friends and family.

Managing Pollution

Keeping your indoor air clean takes some regular maintenance. You’ll need to keep the area clean of dust, pollen, and mold, and change air filters regularly. Before move-in day arrives, you’ll want to consult with a certified HVAC technician with the correct license to ensure that the air conditioning system promotes healthy breathing. You can also get an indoor air quality monitor to determine when regular maintenance needs to take place. If frequent cleaning and filter replacements don’t resolve the issue, you’ll want to ensure that the property has sufficient ventilation throughout each room.

In addition, you’ll want to give your loved one tools to monitor outdoor pollution to minimize their exposure to it. Many websites offer air quality index (AQI) updates for wherever you live. For example, U.S. residents can use AirNow, a government site that uses federally provided data to generate real-time AQI updates. Many apps and wearable devices are available to consumers that also pull from this data, giving individuals the ability to gauge the potential health risks associated with pollution. Using this, you should be able to reduce the impact pollution has on a senior’s health.

Be Prepared for Each Season

Each season brings its own challenges in the realm of air pollution. In the hotter months, air pollution can make urban areas much hotter, making them potentially dangerous for the elderly. To handle these issues, you’ll want to carefully monitor the temperature outside in tandem with AQI tracking to get an idea if outdoor temperatures could become dangerous.

Autumn and winter can be even worse, as air pollution levels are higher during the colder time of year due to temperature inversion — the phenomenon in which cold air is trapped by lighter, hot air. As pollution accumulates in the air, it can also become trapped, building up to extremely unhealthy levels. In addition to ensuring that seniors have the winter supplies they need to survive in extreme weather conditions, you’ll need to make sure that they can protect themselves from pollution.

Airborne pollutants can irritate eyes, potentially leading to serious vision health concerns, such as the development of cataracts or the exacerbation of conditions like presbyopia. If older adults must go out during periods when the air has high pollution levels, they will want to stay well hydrated and wear protective eyewear.

Help Seniors Pursue a Sustainable Lifestyle

Seniors are often forced to live on a fixed income. Fortunately, there are economically and environmentally sustainable lifestyle choices they can make to make retirement comfortable:

• Remember the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. This may seem basic, but there really is no better way to stretch your dollar and reduce your impact on the environment than by being a mindful consumer.
• Many people looking to spend their golden years enjoying nature have adopted the tiny house lifestyle. In fact, tiny house retirement communities have started sprouting up all across the world, even in urban or high-pollution areas. This can be an effective way of minimizing costs and environmental waste.
• When vacationing to new areas, seniors should elect to visit areas that are not hazardous to their health and implement eco-friendly travel practices.

These are some tips to help you prepare your senior friends and family members for retirement. Helping your elderly loved ones find a secure, healthy lifestyle in an environment that can damage their health can be scary. By arming them with the tools and knowledge needed to protect themselves, you can help them avoid developing or exacerbating any chronic conditions. For more tips on living sustainably, continue reading at 2GreenEnergy.