Heat and the Elderly

Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on November 15, 2017

Heat and the Elderly

Are you and/or your elderly loved one thinking of taking a trip somewhere tropical and sunny to shake off the winter? Are you planning on visiting a retired loved one who snowbirds somewhere hot during the colder months? While it may be winter for most of us, there’s never a bad time to keep heat safety in mind.

Medical researchers claim that people over the age of 65 are more prone to heat-related problems and suffer from nearly half of the 625 heat-related fatalities recorded each year in the United States. In most of these cases, the illnesses could have been prevented.

What are the common heat-related illnesses?

The two most common heat-related illnesses include heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion can precede heat stroke and is characterized by a person feeling exhausted or “burned out” by the heat. It is typically the milder of the two illnesses. With heat stroke, the body overheats, usually to a higher degree than in a case of heat exhaustion. Both conditions occur when a person’s body temperature rises faster than the body is able to cool itself.

These illnesses occur more frequently when there are hotter temperatures outside and higher levels of humidity than usual. Serious weather events—like heat waves—are often culprits of heat-related illnesses. Often, emergency treatment is required, and if left unattended, body temperatures could rise to 106°F or higher within a brief period (10–15 minutes). This could cause severe damage to the brain or other vital organs and may even result in a permanent disability or death.

Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include nausea/vomiting, dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, fainting, difficulty breathing, and/or muscle cramps.

Why are the elderly more prone to heat-related problems?

• For most people, it’s harder to adjust to sudden changes in temperature as you get older.
• Older people are more likely to take prescription medication which may impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature by inhibiting perspiration; some medications also contribute to dehydration.
• Older people are more likely to suffer from chronic medical conditions that affect bodily responses to heat.
• The ability to note changes in one’s body temperature often decreases with age.

What are some precautions to take in helping the elderly cope with heat?

• Check on the senior a few times a day to see if they show signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• Ensure they are receiving plenty of rest and avoiding strenuous activity.
• Help them select lighter pieces of clothing—light weight, light colored, and loose fitting—and if they go outside, make sure they bring sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat; also make sure they apply an SPF 15+ sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going out and reapply as needed per the package’s directions.
• Encourage a cold shower or sponge bath to cool down.
• Make sure they are drinking enough water and other healthy fluids regardless of their activity level. Encourage them to avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks—these can contribute to dehydration. If their doctor has prescribed that they drink limited amounts of fluid or has them on water pills, ask her/him how much they should modify this plan when the weather is hot. (Note: Seniors should also avoid extremely cold liquids in these conditions as they can cause cramps.)
• Monitor the local weather and opt to receive notifications of extreme weather conditions. Pay attention to the heat index—a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.
• Pull shades and blinds down or close curtains in rooms to prevent direct sunlight from shining into living areas.
• If they do not have air conditioning, consider taking them to an air-conditioned building (like the public library, senior center, shopping mall, movie theater or a local heat-relief shelter) during the warmest part of the day (usually 10:00 a.m.­–2:00 p.m. though be sure to double check forecasts each day). Call the local health department for information on a local shelter, if needed.
• Seek medical care immediately if you notice any warning signs of heat-related illness (nausea/vomiting, dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, fainting, breathing difficulty, or muscle cramps). In the meantime, elevate their feet, put a wet washcloth on their forehead and offer water to drink every 15 minutes.
• Station fans throughout the house and turn on ceiling fans if available.
• Try not to use the oven or stove to cook and serve “cold” foods to keep the body cool.
• When outside, go in the shade and rest if feeling weak, faint, hot, etc.

Conclusion

Although heat exhaustion and heat stroke are common illnesses among the elderly, there are many precautions that can be taken to help seniors cope with elevated temperatures and high humidity. As a caregiver, being knowledgeable and proactive goes a long way toward preventing heat-related illnesses.