Why it is Important to Keep Seniors Safe and Cool in Extreme Heat
Older adults are at risk of heat related illnesses because their ability to regulate their body temperature decreases with age. This can be exacerbated by medications, chronic illness, and poor nutrition.
Older adults should take the following precautions:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of waterDrinking water is essential for life. It helps keep our body systems running smoothly and wards off dehydration. We need to replace the fluids we lose when we sweat, drink alcohol, or have diarrhea. Drinking plenty of fluids can also help us feel less hungry between meals and maintain a healthy weight.
- Do not leave them unattended in a hot environment or leave windows open on hot days.
Identifying the Symptoms of Heat Related Conditions
Heat-related illnesses are a major problem in the United States, but they don’t always manifest themselves in the same way. In order to be a good caregiver, it is important to know how these illnesses work.
Body temperature can go higher than 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) for long periods of time without any signs of illness. When this happens, the body’s cells cannot get all of the oxygen and nutrients that they need which can cause them to start breaking down. This will eventually lead to heat stroke which can cause permanent damage or death.
There are five main symptoms for heat-related illness:
- Nausea or vomiting
- headache
- general feeling of tiredness
- heavy sweating
- high body temperature (over 102.2 F).
What You Can Do to Help Your Senior Avoid Heat Stress
The summer heat often makes it difficult for seniors to do their usual activities. With the help of a caregiver, you can help your senior loved one beat the heat by taking these steps:
- Walking earlier in the morning, or later in the evenings
- Walking in the shade
- Carrying bottled water with them
- Ensuring they wear comfortable, breathable clothing, and hat
- Providing them with a cooling towel
As the temperature rises in the coming weeks, it is important to check up on your seniors regularly and monitor for signs or symptoms of heat-related illness. This includes dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
To help prevent heat-related illness in the elderly, it is important to be on the lookout for signs of this condition and to check up on them regularly. This can be done by family members, friends, and neighbors coordinating a schedule of visits that are in-person.
If you would like to know how your loved one is doing without leaving the house or having to travel, Acti-Kare can perform wellness checks, and caregiver services in the Sugar Land and Missouri City area.
How to Keep Seniors Safe when Temperatures Rise
The elderly are more susceptible to the heat. They are often more frail and have a lower core temperature, which makes them less able to regulate their body temperature when temperatures rise. There are many ways that we can keep seniors safe when the temperatures rise.
Here are a few proactive measures you can take now to ensure your senior’s safety:
Around the home:
- Perform regular maintenance on HVAC
- Ensure ceiling fans are working properly
- Install ceiling fans (if there aren’t any)
- Ensure ice machine in refrigerator is properly functioning
- Prepare an emergency plan if HVAC fails
If they spend time outdoors:
- Provide them with shade
- Ensure they have easy access to hydration
- Urge them to avoid physical exertion