For New Englanders and many others around the nation, it has been an incredibly hot week. Temperatures have been soaring, and today it is expected to reach 100 degrees. This heat poses a serious safety risk for all individuals, and it is especially dangerous for the elderly.
The elderly are more susceptible to heat related illness for several reasons. According to the CDC, their bodies do not adjust as well as younger individuals to heat, and they aren’t able to regulate abrupt changes in temperature. Secondly, the elderly are more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses and are more likely to be on prescription medications. Both of these will affect their level of hydration and their ability to cope with soaring temperatures.
Fortunately, there are ways to help your elderly loved ones and neighbors cope with the heat. Here are some suggestions:
Check on them. This is perhaps the most important piece of advice that we can give you. Take some time to visit your elderly loved ones and neighbors. It’s important to go and visit them in person because signs of heat related illness are not always recognizable over the phone.
Check to see if they have air conditioning.
If they don’t, you can bring them to a public area. Schools and libraries are a few places that offer air conditioning. Talk to your elderly loved one or neighbor and establish a designated “cool down” spot.
Talk to them about what medications they are on. Some medications will increase the risk for dehydration. If they are on a lot of medications or have a chronic illness, encourage them to talk to their physician about how heat could affect them.
Provide them with your phone number. Make sure they know that they can contact you, especially if they live alone.
Know how to recognize heat related illness and seek help immediately. You can refer to our previous blog post on recognizing heat related illness by clicking here.
Stay cool this summer!
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