Fight Seasonal Allergies with Tips from Retirement Communities in Texas

Learn practical tips for helping your loved one avoid the sneezing and coughing fits this season!

Watching the seasons change can be a beautiful act of nature, whether it’s the leaves changing as summer turns to fall, the flowers blooming in the spring, or the serene snowfall in the winter. One thing that is definitely not fun during any season, however, are allergies.

Here at The Gardens at Brook Ridge Memory Care and Transitional Assisted Living, we take our residents’ health very seriously. Our communities are equipped with ionized air filters, which work hard to remove 99% of viruses and bacteria. While we do our part to keep a clean and safe community, we know that taking additional measures can increase your loved ones’ defenses. To help equip them with the tools to stay healthy this season, take a look at these top three tips.

Be Aware of Allergens

Does excess dust seem to bother your loved one? Do they develop allergy symptoms from being outside when the pollen count is higher? Do they seem to get itchy or watery eyes during the warmer months? Simply helping your loved one to become aware of which irritants cause allergy symptoms, as well as what the symptoms look or feel like, can make a big difference. For example, if dust seems to be the culprit, ensure he or she stays in areas that are frequently vacuumed or dusted. If pollen and plants cause issues, try to stay informed on the air quality on any given day by tuning into the weather forecasts. There is even a website you can check to find out the air quality index right here! Ensuring your loved one stays away from places that exacerbate allergy symptoms can also play a big role in their health and overall wellbeing, so it can definitely be worth the effort to assist him or her with maintaining clean living areas.

Increase Anti-Inflammatory Foods

What’s really happening when your loved one experiences seasonal allergies is the body simply overreacting to a foreign substance (such as pollen, dust, or pet hair). These allergic reactions commonly show up as sneezing, runny nose, or congestion, and can cause inflammation in the body overall. Instead of reaching for the closest over-the-counter antihistamine for your loved one like Benadryl, consider going a more natural route. Increasing his or her intake of food that has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties may lessen the severity of allergy symptoms. Some of these foods include apples, broccoli, and grapes. Fortunately these foods are nutritious, easy to find, and cost-effective too!

When in Doubt, Just Don’t Go Out

Only those who suffer from long-term and severe seasonal allergies know how frustrating it can be. If your loved one experiences bad symptoms that show up consistently during certain times of the year, consider staying indoors when possible. As tempting as it can be to enjoy sunshine and warm weather in the spring and summer months, it just may not be worth it for your loved one. Luckily there are tons of fun activities that can be enjoyed indoors. Playing cards or board games or listening to your favorite music are just a few ideas! Learning what indoor activities you loved one enjoys can be the silver lining of this unfortunate situation.

We know that seasonal allergies are a challenge, but they don’t have to make your loved one miserable for months at a time. We hope these practical tips can provide some relief!

For more information about The Gardens at Brook Ridge Memory Care and Transitional Assisted Living, or to schedule a tour, contact our friendly team today!