Summer is a time for lots of outdoor fun, but when heat waves are more common, seniors need to be extra careful. Staying as safe as possible during a heat wave might mean taking a variety of different precautions for seniors. Personal care at home can be a huge help for aging adults as they try to stay cooler during the hottest parts of the year.
Seniors Are Extra Vulnerable to Heat
Everyone needs to be careful in the heat, but seniors are extra vulnerable. If they have health conditions that affect temperature regulation, they may have no idea when they’re overheating. Medication side effects and other issues can also lead to problems with heat. That means that family caregivers need to pay extra attention during heat waves to make sure seniors stay safe.
Watch for Signs of Heat-related Illnesses
The earlier stages of heat-related illnesses involve seniors feeling dizzy or lightheaded, and they may not be sweating even though they’re hot. Overheating can cause confusion, agitation, speech issues, and mood changes. Noticing these signs means that seniors need to cool down and hydrate so that they don’t risk their condition getting worse. Home care providers know what to watch for and can help seniors to cool down if they’re overheating.
Offer Plenty of Liquids
One of the best tools for seniors during heat waves is hydration. Drinking water is best, but other beverages like herbal teas without caffeine or unsweetened juice can also help in a pinch. Dehydrating beverages that contain alcohol or caffeine are not a great idea in hot weather. They act as diuretics, which can pose a problem.
Take Steps to Keep the House Cooler
Some seniors may have been accustomed to keeping the house warmer when they were younger. They may not have air conditioning, for instance, or they may not want to use it much to keep electric costs down. Taking other steps, like keeping curtains and blinds closed during the hottest part of the day, can help some. Circulating air with fans also helps. But during extreme heat waves, air conditioning is the way to go.
Dress Properly
Dressing appropriately for the weather can help seniors to keep their cool during a heat wave. That often means wearing looser clothes that flow and allow air to circulate against the skin. Natural fibers, like linen, are lightweight so seniors can wear pants and long-sleeved shirts and still stay cool. Longer clothing can offer protection from the sun if seniors are outside or near a window, too.
Take Cool Showers or Baths
It may also help for seniors to take cool showers or baths when they’re starting to feel the heat too much. Personal care at home can help them to stay safe while taking cooler showers and baths. Just as showers that are too hot can be dangerous, water that’s too cold can be as well. Home care providers can focus on safety while helping seniors get cooler.
Heat waves are nothing to ignore, especially for seniors. Taking the proper steps and getting help from personal care at home can help aging adults stay cool and comfortable when the weather is too hot to bear.
If you or an aging loved one are considering personal care at home in Anderson, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at (864) 990-4345.
Heart of the Carolinas Provides Senior Home Care Services in Greenville, Mauldin, Greer, Spartanburg, Anderson, Pawleys Island, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, Charleston, Columbia, Simpsonville, South Carolina, and surrounding areas.
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