Hot Weather Health Tips

For most people a long hot spell is just uncomfortable. Heat waves can be more serious for elderly people.

Older adults perspire less than younger people. Without perspiration body temperatures rise quickly, posing a threat to the older person's comfort and health. Chronic diseases – diabetes, high blood pressure or overweight – interfere with the body's normal cooling processes. Certain medications like diuretics ("water pills"), tranquilizers, heart or blood pressure drugs reduce the amount of perspiration – the body's natural coolant – produces.

If you are caring for an older relative it is important to know how to keep your older relative as cool and comfortable as possible during a hot spell.

HEAT STRESS

Older people usually feel better once the weather cools down. Check in with your parent daily during the heat spell.

Encourage her to avoid heat-related discomforts by:

Keeping a pitcher of water in the refrigerator and drinking a small glass regularly throughout the day.
Avoiding drinking alcoholic beverages or caffeine. They actually cause the body to lose water.
Eating small light meals or snacks that require little or no preparation. Salads, fruits, cheese and crackers, cereal, Jell-O or popsicles are good choices.
Relaxing in a cool bath or shower.
Taking a siesta during the hottest part of the day.
Wearing loose-fitting, light-weight clothing.
Applying sun blocks with a protection factor of 15 (SPF 15) or greater if your parent goes outdoors.
Turning on the fan or air conditioner. Some older people don't use air conditioning to avoid a big electric bill. Encourage them to use a fan – especially in the bedroom and the room where they spend the most time during the day.

If your relative doesn't have air conditioning, spend a day together in the air-conditioned comfort of a mall or library or take in a movie.

HEAT STROKE

Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes so overheated that it can no longer produce enough sweat to control its temperature.

Symptoms include:

Extremely high body temperature (104 degrees or higher).
Mental confusion.
Flushed, dry skin,
Faintness, delirium or coma.
Dizziness, nausea, headache.

Heat stroke is a life threatening emergency that must be treated immediately. Call an ambulance for assistance or drive the older adult to the nearest emergency room.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Heat exhaustion symptoms issue a warning that the body is overheating.

They include:

Weakness, nausea, faintness.
Loss of coordination.
Rapid pulse.
Cool, moist skin.

People with these symptoms should rest in a cool place; drink water or fruit juice, and cool down with a sponge bath. Do not use salt replacements without the advice of a doctor.

STAYING HEALTHY IN HOT WEATHER

Very hot weather can be unpleasant and even dangerous for older people – especially if they suffer from chronic illnesses or are very old. A daily phone call or quick visit once or twice a day from family, friends or neighbors will ensure the older person's health, safety, and comfort and give him or her confidence that help is available when it's needed most.

Need help? Family First's accredited Care Experts are standing by to offer you and your family personalized support and caregiving solutions.

Our Care Experts are licensed and accredited with years of specialized training and real-world experience solving complex caregiving challenges.

Get started online or by calling 1 (877) 585-7090.