Reminder: Check on your elderly neighbors!

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!

What do you do if you recognize a heat emergency?

If you recognize any symptoms of a heat emergency in an elderly person, contact a physician immediately. Heat related illnesses are incredibly serious, especially in the high risk elderly population. How can you protect yourself and the elderly? Here are some recommendations from the CDC:

· Increase your fluid intake throughout the day with cool, non-alcoholic beverages. You can encourage any elderly you know to do the same, but check with their physician first. Some medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, can require a fluid restrictive diet.
· Avoid strenuous activity and rest.
· Take a cool shower or bath.
· If possible, stay in an air-conditioned environment – especially in the afternoon when the heat is strongest. (If you don't have air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned shopping mall or public library to cool off.)
· Wear lightweight clothing made of breathable fabrics (preferably cotton).
 · Visit older adults at risk at least twice a day and monitor them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

 Remember, heat related illnesses are incredibly dangerous. Take heat seriously and keep heat safety a top priority!

Memorial Day: Outdoor Safety Tips for the Elderly

Memorial Day: Outdoor Safety Tips for the Elderly

Traditionally, Memorial Day is usually spent with family and friends around a grill. In order to have a fun, carefree Memorial Day, you have to take some safety precautions: 

Grill Safety: Before you grill, there are some important safety to ensure that the grill is functioning properly and to avoid any fires.

1.Place the grill far away from your home, your deck, trees, shrubs and any flammable items.

2. Scrub the grill! Remove all grease and fat. It can catch on fire if it isn’t cleaned properly

3. If you’re using a charcoal grill, be careful about using starter fluid. Ensure that it is out of the reach of children and pets, and only use starter fluid. Don’t use any other accelerants!

4. If you’re using a propane grill, check the gas tank hose for leaks. The National Fire Protection Association has a great test: apply soapy water to the gas hose. If there is a leak, you will see bubbles. If not, then start grilling!

5.Read the complete list of tips from NFPA here.

Food Safety: Practice extreme caution while handling raw food!

1. While handling raw meat, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.

2. Ensure that the coals are lightly coated with ash.  Check that hamburgers reach an internal temperature of 160°F, large cuts of beef reach 154°F, and poultry reaches 165°F.

3. Read this list of food safety tips from the USDA here. 

Elderly Safety: Heat stroke and heat related illness can be a serious problem for seniors.

1. Have plenty of water available to keep your elderly loved ones hydrated.

2.When you’re setting up, be sure to place several lawn chairs and tables in shaded areas to keep your senior loved ones cool.

3. Leave the air conditioning or fans on inside a room so that seniors can rest there if needed.

4. Leave bottles of sunblock outside for your guests to use, and ensure that your senior loved one wears light, breathable clothing and a hat.

5. Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and seek medical attention if any of your guests start showing any symptoms! You can see the full list of symptoms here.

Hope everyone has a safe and fun Memorial Day!