Planning For Care
How Seniors Can Stay Safe In the Summer Heat and Sun
Summer has struck with a vengeance. Much as I look forward to summer and the long, sunny days, there can be too much of a good thing. Sunny days uplift spirits, but seniors need to take special precautions to make sure their enjoyment of summer is not eclipsed by the pain of sunburn or the harmful effects of dehydration and heat illness.
Physical changes that come with aging make older adults more vulnerable to summer’s heat and humidity. The American Geriatrics Society’s Foundation for Health in Aging (FHIA) reports that most of the 200 Americans who die each summer of heat-related complications are over 50. It is often difficult to get seniors to understand the seriousness of these risks. The thinking is, “It was hot when I was younger and we didn’t have air conditioning and we didn’t worry about it. While that might be true, not only were they younger then, but people got sick and/or died of the heat much more frequently then than now. The “good old days” we not always better.
There are several things to take into consideration. Seniors become less sensitive to heat and the feeling of thirst as they age. On top of that, certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and pulmonary conditions as well as many medications commonly taken by seniors—water pills, allergy and sinus medications, and antidepressants—further increase the risk.
FHIA warns that temperatures in the low 90s can be very dangerous to seniors and offers seniors and their caregivers a wide variety of hot weather safety tips (link to: http://www.healthinaging.org/public_education/hot_weather_safety_tipsv3.pdf). Recommendations include:
• Turn on the air conditioner or go to an air conditioned place—senior center, mall, movie theater, or library, for example. Fans are not sufficient.
• Stay indoors during excessive heat, and when outside, avoid the sun as much as possible. Wear a hat and sunglasses, and use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
• Avoid strenuous activity
• Take cool showers, baths, or sponge baths
• Be sure to drink plenty of liquids to stay adequately hydrated.
FHIA also recommends that family members or friends check on seniors at least twice a day during a heat wave
Family and professional caregivers can make a special effort to help seniors get enough to drink, as the need for water and nonalcoholic and decaffeinated beverages rises with the temperature. This includes keeping a good variety of beverages on hand and encouraging frequent drinking of smaller quantities as opposed to less frequent drinking of larger quantities.
Use the urine test to confirm whether you or a loved one is drinking enough. Light yellow urine is usually a sign that liquid consumption is adequate, while darker urine may signal dehydration and more liquids are needed.
Beware of heat related illnesses. Overexposure to the heat can lead to a variety of serious health problems. The Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com) states that:
• Heat exhaustion is a warning that your body cannot cool itself. Symptoms include thirst, dizziness, weakness, poor coordination, nausea and sweating. Body temperature stays normal, but the skin feels cold and clammy and pulse can be normal or raised. If this is the case, rest in a cool place, drink plenty of fluids and take a cool shower or sponge bath. This condition can turn into heatstroke, so if you do not feel better quickly, seek medical care right away.
• Heat stroke is life threatening and requires emergency medical help. After calling 911, get the individual to a cool place. Signs of heat stroke include fainting, body temperature above 104° F, confusion, irritableness, staggering, dry, flushed skin, strong, rapid pulse or slow, weak pulse, not sweating, acting delirious or being in a coma.
Protect yourself against sunburn. Seniors particularly need to avoid sun exposure if they take certain medications that increase sensitivity to the sun, such as water pills, antibiotics, some antidepressants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat arthritis pain and inflammation.
The Mayo Clinic offers the following guidance for treating sunburn:
• Take a cool bath or apply cold compresses to the affected skin
• Apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream, aloe or a moisturizer
• Do not break blisters. Breaking them will slow the healing process and increase risk of infection. Cover blisters with light, non-stick gauze, if needed.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever until redness and soreness subside.
• Continue using moisturizing cream while the skin peels.
However, see a doctor if severe sunburn covers a large area with blisters, is accompanied by high fever or severe pain and does not improve in a few days.
So, enjoy the sunny warm weather, but do it sensibly. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay safe.
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Anne Wilson, a Certified Senior Advisor and owner of Comfort Keepers, works professionally with the elderly on issues relating to senior independence. She can be contacted at 815-229-9100. Comfort Keepers provides in home care in the Rockford,Freeport, and Sycamore, Illinois areas.