It’s a sunny day with temperatures around 32°C and humidity at about 69%, and we’re bathed in the strong sunlight typical of midsummer. At this time of year in Okinawa, the nights tend to be muggy and uncomfortable, and our daily rhythms are often influenced by the weather. Today, I’ll be documenting a morning in Minatogawa and a glimpse into our daily caregiving life.
☀️ The Morning Sky in Minatogawa and My Mother’s Leisurely Start
It’s summer in Urasoe, where the temperature rises rapidly from early morning, with strong sunlight streaming deep into the room. Last night was also muggy, and I woke up once at dawn to hydrate before going back to bed. Even so, the morning began slowly. I woke my mother up for a breakfast of bread and coffee.
“I’m not getting up—I want to sleep more.” After repeating this exchange several times, she finally sat down in her chair, though she dozed off while eating. “Hurry up—you’ll fall out of your chair!” I called out, and after she finished eating, I let her rest again.
Since she’s been suffering from headaches and feeling unwell since last week, I plan to let her take it easy until her afternoon day care session, without pushing her too hard.
🍚 Appetite Affected by Summer Fatigue and Changes in Gait
Recently, my mother’s food intake has been gradually decreasing. She no longer eats her morning banana, saying she’ll have it “later,” and she can’t finish a full bowl of rice—it seems she just can’t bring herself to take that last bite.
Since I made sure she ate as much as possible during the spring, her weight loss has been kept in check, but over the past few days, her gait has become unsteady; she has trouble moving her legs forward, and she’s been tripping more often.
I’ve informed the day care staff of the situation and asked them to focus on gait training. On days when she’s in a good mood, I take her shopping; for example, she walks through the San-A store while holding onto a shopping cart—I’m continuing to find ways to help her maintain her physical strength.
💡 Nighttime Safety Measures: Making a DIY LED Strip Footlight
Since my mother has been getting up to use the restroom more often at night lately, I’m working on a plan to build a DIY footlight using LED strips and a motion sensor.
I’ve already finished experimenting with the wiring and programming, and today I plan to install it and test how user-friendly it is. Once it’s finished, I’d like to write a report about it on my blog.
🌴 Seasonal Living Tips: Getting Through Okinawa’s Midsummer
Midsummer in Okinawa is a season when the strong morning sun and high humidity can easily sap your energy. In daily caregiving, small adjustments like the following can be helpful.
Make morning hydration a habit. Since it’s easy to become dehydrated due to restless nights, that first glass of water after waking up is crucial.
Set the air conditioning to a lower setting and use a fan to circulate the air. This prevents your body from getting too cold and lowers humidity, making it more comfortable to be in the room.
Walk in cool indoor spaces. Walking in cool facilities like San-A helps reduce the risk of heatstroke while ensuring you get enough exercise.
Adjust meals based on “frequency over quantity.” When suffering from summer fatigue, even if you can’t finish a meal all at once, dividing it into several small portions makes it less of a burden.
I hope this is helpful, even in a small way, to others providing care in the same area.
🌺 Summary
This morning in Urasoe and Minatogawa, the sun was shining brightly—just like the height of summer. We spent the day at a leisurely pace, adjusting to my mother’s condition. I’ll continue to document our caregiving life as we adapt to the changing seasons and move forward at a comfortable pace.
This padded gait belt is ideal for caregivers assisting seniors with walking or standing.
The multiple handles provide a secure grip, making transfers safer and more comfortable for both the caregiver and the elderly person.
It’s especially helpful for those who experience instability, dizziness, or frequent stumbling.
This long-handle grabber tool helps seniors pick up items without bending or stretching.
It’s perfect for those with limited mobility, arthritis, or post-surgery recovery.
Lightweight, easy to grip, and useful for everyday tasks like reaching shelves or picking up dropped items.
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