Nestled in Mississippi is Ridgeland, a city brimming with charm and so much natural wonder, from the majestic Barnett Reservoir (also known as the “Rez”) to its wildflower fields and lush greenery. It’s also conveniently located 12 miles north of Jackson, the Magnolia State’s capital city. All these, combined with the city’s sunny disposition (it enjoys an average of 211 days of sunshine, per BestPlaces.net), make it an attractive destination for retirees.

Still, Ridgeland can get pretty hot, and the heat can be a health risk, especially for older adults. For this reason, practicing summer safety tips should be a top priority for area seniors.

To that end, the caring team at SummerHouse Beau Ridge, our senior living community in Ridgeland, MS, put together this guide. Read on for insights into aging safely in summer while enjoying the city’s beautiful outdoors and warm weather tips.

Keep an Eye Out for the Weather Forecasts

FirstStreet.org, a non-profit research group committed to helping people understand and prepare for climate-related dangers, says that Ridgeland, MS, has a “severe heat risk.” The days when temperatures reach at least 90ºF have increased considerably in the past 30 years. The organization projects that in 2025, the city will experience 72 days with temperatures of between 90ºF and 100ºF and 45 days with temperatures of 100ºF or higher.

High temperatures can be dangerous for everyone, but even more so for high-risk individuals, including seniors. According to the U.S. CDC, older adults are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses (HRIs).

For those reasons, one of the most crucial strategies for senior heat protection is knowing how hot the day can get in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Older adults in the area can use the following platforms to stay weather-informed:

Local news channels, such as WLBT First Alert Weather
The National Weather Service (NWS) website
The Weather Channel website
The AccuWeather website
The Weather Underground website

Older adults can adjust their schedules depending on how hot the day will be, especially if they plan to engage in outdoor senior activities and events.

Beware of a High Heat Index

The heat index measures how hot the body can feel when relative humidity (the amount of moisture or water vapor) combines with the air temperature. In the context of weather forecasts, you may have heard of this referred to as the “feels like” temperature.

The higher the heat index, the hotter the body can feel, making it a risk factor for poor summer health for elderly individuals. Prolonged exposure to high heat indices can make seniors more prone to developing HRIs, such as:

Heat cramps, often occurring as painful arm, leg, and stomach muscle cramps or spasms
Heat exhaustion, with symptoms like excessive sweating, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, and vomiting
Heat stroke, the most dangerous type of HRI, can present as confusion, agitation, seizures, and even coma

According to the National Weather Service, individuals should exercise caution when the heat index is between 80°F and 90°F. At this level, prolonged exposure, especially with physical activity, can already result in fatigue. However, the higher the index, the more dangerous things can get, and the more likely HRIs will occur.

Time Your Outdoor Activities Well

Ridgeland, MS, seniors who wish to spend time outdoors on a sunny day should consider scheduling their nature time earlier. As the Mississippi State Department of Health advises, the heat is highest after noon. So, it’s best to avoid strenuous activity and relax instead in the afternoon.

Seek Shade and Air Conditioning

During days when the heat index is high, older adults should consider staying in the shade, preferably in air-conditioned spaces. Well-maintained air conditioning systems are crucial to summer safety, as they help lower indoor temperature and humidity.

At SummerHouse Beau Ridge, we’re proud of our comfortable senior apartment homes, which we equip with individual climate controls. So, during hot days, our residents can stay safe indoors in their air-conditioned, cozy apartments.

Moreover, our residents don’t have to while away the scorching day doing nothing, as our independent living and memory care campuses boast many on-site community amenities, including:

A well-equipped library
A health and fitness center
A professional beauty salon and barber shop
A robust, diverse calendar of daily recreation, social, and physical activities and events, many of which are indoors
An arts and crafts studio
A game room with billiards
A covered gazebo with seating arrangements

When our residents get hungry, they don’t have to go far and put their summer heat safety at risk. We also have an on-site, elegant dining room where we serve three delicious meals and refreshments daily.

Drink Lots of Refreshing, Rejuvenating Fluids

Ridgeland, MS, seniors should stay well-hydrated daily, especially during hot summer days. Increasing fluid intake can help avert the safety risks of dehydration, which can range from mild symptoms like fatigue and headaches to more severe conditions like urinary and kidney problems and even seizures.

Here are some hydration tips to keep in mind:

Never wait until you feel thirsty to drink
Carry a reusable water bottle filled with cold water and take regular sips throughout the day
Set hydration reminders to drink a glass of cold, refreshing water at least once every hour
Make plain water more palatable by adding nutritious, flavorful ingredients (e.g., orange, lime, lemon, berries, rosemary, or basil)
Limit intake of diuretic beverages like caffeinated drinks, soda, and alcohol

Enjoy Ridgeland’s Sunny Days With These Summer Safety Tips

From constantly checking the weather forecast to knowing when to stay cool indoors and staying well-hydrated, these are some of the most crucial summer safety tips for Ridgeland, MS, seniors.

At SummerHouse Beau Ridge, we take summer and heat safety seriously. As such, we ensure our residents can always rely on well-maintained amenities, including their apartment homes and central air conditioning systems. We also offer many indoor events, and, whenever the weather permits, fun outdoor activities to keep them happy and engaged.

So, if you’re looking for a senior living community where you or an older loved one can have enriching experiences, consider SummerHouse Beau Ridge in Ridgeland, MS. Call us today to schedule your visit and tour of our beautiful independent living and memory care campuses!