Senior Care Tips for Summer Heat Safety

Sweltering summer heat can be dangerous and even deadly, especially for older adults. That’s why senior care experts stress the importance of knowing the symptoms of overheating and acting promptly to get medical care.

Why seniors are more at risk from heat-related illness

Older adults are more prone to heat-related health problems because the aging body is simply not able to recover as quickly from overheating. Chronic medical conditions, age-related skin changes, a weakened immune system, taking multiple medications, and being over or under weight can also elevate risk during extreme temperatures. For instance, diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and some heart and high blood pressure medicines may make it harder for the body to cool itself. And while drinking water is important for staying cool and hydrated, seniors who must restrict fluids because of a medical condition need to consult their doctor for advice on what to do during periods of excessive heat.

Heat waves can cause issues with senior care medications and medical devices, too. Often, prescriptions need to be kept in a cool, dry place, so storage may need to be reconsidered. Power outages can affect refrigerated medicines and medical devices that rely on electricity, such as CPAP machines. The FDA offers a free comprehensive guide to help prepare for and handle power outages when using medical devices that require electricity.

Stay cool and hydrated

Heat-related illnesses can quickly escalate from sunburn and heat rash to exhaustion and heatstroke. It is important to seek prompt medical attention if experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Muscle cramping
• Unusually heavy sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Weakness
• Nausea

To reduce the risk of heat-related illness, the CDC recommends:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Stay in air conditioning, if possible. A fan can also be helpful in temperatures below 90 °F.
• If you must be outside, stay in the shade, wear lightweight clothing and a hat.
• Rest often.
• Take a cool shower.

Caregiver tips

When providing senior care, it’s always best to check on older adults at least twice a day to make sure they are staying cool and hydrated and not in distress. The CDC also recommends caregivers create a senior care heat action plan that covers ways to stay cool and hydrated, how to manage prescriptions and medical devices, and symptoms of heat-related illness.

For more senior care heat tips, check out our past blogs Helping seniors keep their cool during extreme heat and Summertime heat puts seniors at higher risk for dehydration.

How a senior care community can help

Running errands like grocery shopping, mowing the yard and even cooking in this heat can be overwhelming. And families that don’t live close to an aging loved one often worry whether they are keeping cool and staying hydrated. A senior care community like Ecumenical Retirement Community in Harrisburg, PA provides air-conditioned comfort, delicious dining (no need to shop or heat the house by cooking!) and no yard maintenance. With 24/7 access to medical services, a salon and a variety of activities right on campus, staying cool and comfortable is easy!

Come see why US News & World Report rated Ecumenical Retirement Community Best Independent Living for 2024. Schedule a tour or speak to one of our helpful senior care advisors for more information.