Beat the Heat: Advice For Safely Combating The Summer Heat

Essential Senior Care Tips For Dealing with Summer Heat

It’s no secret that seniors and extreme heat typically aren’t a good mix. Seniors are much more likely to succumb to heat-induced illnesses than younger adults. Statistics show that over 80% of heat-related deaths each year happen to seniors aged 60 years and older. In extreme heat waves, this number can be substantially higher.  In 2022, an infamous heat wave in Europe took the lives of many individuals, 90% of which were seniors aged 65 and older. Staying cool and taking proper senior care precautions are essential in avoiding and combating heat illness. In this blog, we’ll cover important facts related to senior care considerations and heat illness, including; why seniors are more susceptible to heat-induced health concerns, how to mitigate the risks of heat illness as a senior, and how to recognize common symptoms of heat illnesses and get help as quickly as possible. Early intervention is key in preventing heat-related illness from progressing to long-term health complications or even death. 

Understanding the Risks

Heat illnesses can be caused by high temperatures and/or humidity. The effects of heat illnesses can worsen with exercise. For seniors, even a quick walk around the block in high temperatures could be problematic. Seniors need to stay cool during heat waves and stay vigilant for symptoms of the following heat-induced illnesses during warmer months. 

• Heat rash: Heat rash is a common side effect of heat exposure, especially in young children and seniors. Heat rash may also be referred to as prickly heat or miliaria. Heat rash occurs when sweat becomes trapped underneath the top layer of skin, resulting in small bumps or blisters that may become itchy. Typically, once the affected area has had some time to cool down, the heat rash tends to fade on its own. Extreme cases may need evaluation by a healthcare provider.
  • Senior care tips for heat rash: Heat rash tends to develop in areas where clothing rubs against the skin. Wearing loose-fitting clothes in extreme heat can help mitigate the risk of heat rashes in seniors. Avoid heavy creams and/or lotions that may prevent sweat from escaping through pores. 
• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that tend to occur in the abdomen, hands, feet, legs, shoulders, and rib cage. Muscle spasms can be an early warning sign of heat exhaustion and should be taken seriously. This symptom of heat illness happens when the body loses important nutrients through excessive sweating.
  • Senior care tips for heat cramps: Since heat cramps occur due to a loss of electrolytes via excessive sweating, Replace nutrients and electrolytes with a healthy, carb-based snack and a low-sugar sports drink. You could also try applying an ice pack to the muscle or a gentle massage. If symptoms don’t let up, reach out to a healthcare provider. 
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is a serious heat-induced health concern that should be addressed immediately. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include excessive sweating, weak or rapid pulse, dizziness, nausea, and rapid breathing. Heat exhaustion can happen to seniors when too much time is spent in unfavorable conditions or when too little fluid has been consumed.
  • Senior care tips for heat exhaustion: Since seniors are more vulnerable to a rapid progression of heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion should be treated immediately to prevent the progression to heat stroke. Get to a cooler area immediately and hydrate with room-temperature water. It may take longer for bodies to hydrate with cold water. 
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening. Heat stroke happens when body temperature rises above 104 degrees F due to hot and humid conditions. Symptoms often begin with confusion and can lead to loss of consciousness and seizures. This process can occur over several days, especially for seniors with underlying health issues. If a senior suffering from heat stroke does not receive immediate medical attention, they may be at risk of coma, organ failure, and death.
  • Senior care tips for heat stroke: While waiting for a medical response team, ice packs may be applied to the armpits, groin, and neck. Sports drinks or slightly salted water may be administered. Once in hospital care, heat stroke may be treated with intravenous hydration, cold blankets, oxygen, and medication. 

Seniors are more vulnerable to heat-induced illnesses due to a number of factors that include: reduced ability to regulate their body temperatures, underlying conditions, medications (especially diuretics), reduced sensation of thirst, cognitive decline affecting the ability to recognize symptoms, lack of support and monitoring, and thinner skin that reduces insulative properties. 

Preparation Before Summer

There are a number of ways that seniors can go into the Summer months feeling more prepared to handle the heat. First and foremost, a health check-up before the onset of Summer can help determine a baseline risk level for heat-induced illnesses. A primary care physician will be able to assess risk factors such as underlying conditions and medications. A healthcare professional can also provide personalized senior care advice for combatting the heat. Attending regularly scheduled health assessments is crucial in the monitoring of chronic conditions that can exacerbate heat-related symptoms. Consistent monitoring allows for timely interventions in the event a heat-related incident occurs. Having an at-home senior care provider or senior caregiver can give great peace of mind since they can monitor for symptoms of heat illness during warmer months. 

Staying Cool Indoors

Home preparedness is also crucial in preparing for the Summer months. To safeguard against the heat, air conditioners, fans, and other cooling devices should be set up before a heat wave hits. Proper air circulation and cross ventilation can help keep indoor areas significantly cooler. Inspect air conditioners for functionality before peak heat hits and ensure that fans are adequately working and free of excessive dust. Portable air conditioners are helpful in cooling down smaller areas and can be especially useful if the home does not have central air. Blackout curtains are also effective in blocking heat from the sun from affecting indoor temperatures. Just in case the above solutions fail to keep the home within a safe temperature range or in the event of a power outage, keeping cooling mats, cooling towels, and battery-powered cooling devices on hand for emergencies is always a good idea. Remember to keep spare batteries in the home as well. 

Staying indoors during a heat wave is one of the easiest ways to remain safe in extreme conditions. Keep travel to a minimum and seniors should only leave a cooled area for necessary errands such as healthcare appointments. Consider obtaining the help of a senior caregiver to complete other chores that require leaving the home such as grocery shopping. 

Hydration and Nutrition

Staying hydrated and properly nourished is one of the most effective ways for seniors to stay safe from heat-induced illnesses. Remaining well-hydrated and consuming a healthy diet helps essential organs and bodily functions continue to work properly. Since seniors may have a reduced sensation of thirst compared to younger adults, it is crucial to watch for signs of dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, fatigue, dark urine, dry mouth, and general malaise. Senior care tips for staying hydrated throughout the warmer months include carrying a water bottle, setting reminders for drinking water, and eating hydrating fruits such as watermelon, oranges, and cucumbers. Eating lighter meals will be easier on the body than digesting heavy, hearty foods. Soups, smoothies, fruit, vegetables, and light snacks such as crackers can aid in heat management. 

Clothing and Sun Protection

Wearing loose-fitting, lightweight clothing made from breathable materials such as cotton, bamboo, and linen can help seniors stay cool when the weather is warm. These fabrics allow for air circulation while wicking moisture away from seniors’ delicate skin. Additionally, opt for clothing in these materials that is lighter in color – as this will reflect sunlight rather than absorb it as darker colors would. Accessories such as wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses should be worn regularly during the Summer months. Sunscreen is another vital component in sun protection for seniors. Use a sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30+ and apply 15 minutes before sun exposure to protect the skin from harmful burns. Lip balm with SPF should also be in every summer senior care arsenal. 

Staying Cool Outdoors

If it is essential to spend time outdoors during the Summer – whether it be for important errands, family events, or simply fresh air and mental health – some precautions can be taken to reduce heat’s impact on seniors. The heat is usually strongest during peak sunlight, typically occurring between 10 AM and 4 PM. Early morning and late evening outings may be safer for seniors when the weather is warmer. Shade is going to be a senior’s best friend when outdoors. Finding a tree, bringing a camping chair with an attached umbrella or shade canopy, or a portable shade such as a pop-up tent can help reduce the impact of heat on older adults. To keep seniors even more comfortable, portable cooling devices such as battery-powered fans, cooling towels, travel misters, and cooling vests can be packed along with cold waters. 

Recognizing and Responding to Heat-Related Illnesses

If any concerns surrounding heat-related illnesses do arise, seek medical attention immediately. Seconds matter in the event of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The National Institute on Aging advises the following the the event of a heat stroke: 

1. Call 911
2. While waiting, get the individual into a cool, air-conditioned environment
3. Offer water if they can swallow
4. Encourage them to lie down
5. Apply cold cloths to areas of the body where blood passes the closest to the skin such as wrists, groin, armpits, and neck
6. Sponge bathe with cool (not overly cold) water

Community Resources and Support

Most communities offer the use of libraries or other community centers for seniors and other residents to escape the heat. For seniors who are struggling financially, there may be financial help available in your area for energy assistance and cooling costs or free fans and cooling devices for seniors in need. Local senior centers are usually a good source of information related to community spaces and local financial resources for seniors. All seniors must have a support system that can check in, monitor, and keep a vigilant eye for any heat-induced symptoms. Having an in-home senior caregiver can be, quite literally, a life-saver in extreme temperatures when seniors are most vulnerable. 

How We Can Help 

At Serving Seniors Care, our services are tailored to individual needs and evolve as those needs change. This includes taking careful consideration towards heat management in the Summertime. We can monitor hydration, ensure temperature regulation, ensure proper clothing and sun protection is utilized, plan outdoor activities to avoid extreme heat, help to prepare the home for heat waves, and most importantly, monitor for changes in health and watch for symptoms of heat illness. Seconds matter in the event of a heat-induced health emergency and without a supervising companion, many seniors cannot get the help that is needed in those precious moments. See a comprehensive list of our services. 

If you or a loved one are looking for senior care in Daly City/San Francisco/The Bay Area, reach out today. 

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SOURCES: 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-rash/symptoms-causes/syc-20373276

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16425-heat-illness

https://www.gcoem.org/home-emergencymanagement

https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/effects-heat-older-adults

www.freepik.com