Hot weather or being overheated for too long is very risky for one’s health, especially seniors who are more susceptible to heat due to their old age. The more seniors grow older, the more their body part functions slower or even stops functioning, they also accumulate various ailments from their young age; thereby affecting the proper functioning of the body. All these coupled with extreme hot weather make them vulnerable to different health issues.

It is quite challenging for seniors to adjust to sudden hot temperatures as their body functions slow to react to situations. An elderly loved one may already be suffering from any severe medical issues. These medical issues may lead to negative reactions to hot weather and may further be stimulated due to the hot weather. It is important to take necessary precaution and caution to prevent any further complications from hot temperature.

It is important to take note of the following health symptoms in seniors during hot weather:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Weakness.
• Irritability.
• Thirst
• Heavy sweating.
• Elevated body temperature.

 If any of the symptoms mentioned above is noticed in an elderly loved one, then one needs to take important and fast measure to relieve the symptoms or it can increase to any of the following heat illness:

Heat Stroke 

This is a sudden Medical situation where the body temperature increases very higher above the normal level, let say 104°F. This situation is often accompanied by rapid or slow pulse, fainting, flushed and dry skin. This situation needs immediate medical attention, so we can either take them to the hospital or call for their health provider. The caregiver can Move them to a cool and shady place and take off or loosen heavy clothes and give them cool water while awaiting the health provider.

 Dehydration

This is when you lose too much water in your body. It is often accompanied by dizziness, weakness, muscle cramps,headache.This situation can be serious if treated lightly. Encourage the seniors to take enough water in this situation and seek more advice from the health provider if it persists.

 Heat Cramps 

This is a sudden pain or jerk from tightening of the muscles,it often occurs when one is doing strenuous activities or exercise under the sun. It is advisable to leave the sun immediately and relax in a shady and cool place immediately if one experiences these cramps. Drinking Enough can also help.

 Heat Exhaustion

This is a serious health issue that results from dehydration or loss of salt in the body, it is often accompanied by excessive sweating, tiredness,vomiting,headache, dizziness. This situation occurs more in seniors that have high blood pressure.It needs to be treated immediately to prevent heat stroke. Give the senior enough water and call the health provider for further instructions.

 Sunburn

Sunburn, also known as Sun exposure is a situation where a part of the skin becomes damaged due to long exposure to sun. The skin starts to peel and blisters, this situation can cause the senior to have fever, nausea, and develop a rash in their body. We need to advise our elderly loved ones to avoid staying in places with direct sunlight and cloth that covers their skin and use sun shade if they can’t avoid it.

 Skin Rash

This is a type of skin irritation that develops from too much sweat as a result of heat. It is often accompanied by blisters, red clusters, itchiness, tingling pain. Seek the health provider to know the kind of medication to give the senior affected and the kind of powder to sprinkle on the affected area to soothe it, make sure the senior keeps the affected areas dry and avoid exposing it.

 Heat Edema 

This is a situation where your ankles and feet start swelling up due to too much heat or hot temperature. When the senior sit or stands too long in hot weather, the blood vessels expand and the body fluid goes directly to the leg and ankle due to pressure from the heat. Help the senior to raise the put, raise their legs up and relax  to help reduce swelling and contact their health provider for what to do.

Tips To Help Senior To Stay Safe During Hot Weather

Drink Plenty of Water 

Encourage the seniors to always drink plenty of  water as well as a liquid drink, juicy fruit in order to prevent them from being dehydrated. Make sure they avoid any drinks that contain alcohol.

 Stay in a Cool Dry Place

Ensure there is a fan or air condition to keep the place cool all the time for the senior, encourage the senior to stay in a shady place with cool breeze during the hot weather.

 Wear Clothes That Can Easily Adjust To Temperature 

Advise the senior to wear lightweight fabric that prevents heat.avoid dark color cloth or cloth absorb heat into the body.

 Take a Shower 

Aside from the normal morning, we can encourage the seniors to take a cool shower, not cold or hot water both in the afternoon and at night especially when the body is feeling heat or when they just finished any activity that causes them to sweat. 

 Skip Outdoor Activities 

Advise the seniors to avoid going out for lots of activities around this time, they should also avoid any activity that will expose them to too much sun or heat.

 Seek Help Immediately 

If you notice any physical symptoms or you feel any difference in an elderly loved one during hot weather, we need to contact their health provider immediately or take them to the hospital, the reason being that most heat related health issues are often associated with normal body reaction to pain or medication they are taking at that time. They even overlook it as a normal thing and by the time we realize it, it will have become severe with a case of emergency. 

 Watch out for Medication that has Side-Effects: We need to watch out for those medication that high reaction to heat or hot weather so as to take precautions. The caregiver can ask the health provider necessary question on the different medications of the seniors and what to avoid to minimize the situation In Case it occurs and what to in the different situations.

Protect the Skin and Eyes: If the senior must go out for any outdoor activities they must wear sunglasses that protect the eyes from the ray of the sun as well as wear clothes that cover and protect the skin from any damages .

 Exercise During The Cooler Hours: The body needs to Exercise to stay healthy. The caregiver can adjust the schedule of the seniors to shift their time of exercise toa cooler time like the evening or early morning during hot weather.

 Use Cooling Towels or Wet Towels: we must make sure there is a cool or wet towel around the senior neck during this period to keep cool and avoid any heat sickness. These towels can also be placed on their arms, legs or forehead to help provide relief when the temperatures become too hot.

CONCLUSION

Seniors have a higher difficulty to cope with hot weather or temperature. The temperature they are exposed to will have a direct impact on their health so we need to regulate where they are living with different equipment to relieve them at all times. Having a professional caregiver around them always will guide them on what to do and things to be cautious of during hot weather to avoid any form of heat related sickness.

REFERENCES

https://www.premiercareinbathing.co.uk/blog/tips-for-keeping-cool-in-hot-weather-for-elderly/

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-weather-safety-older-adults

https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/wellness-prevention/5-hot-weather-tips-could-save-an-older-adults-life#:~:text=Good%20old%2Dfashioned%20practices%20like,keeping%20cool%2C%20wet%20cloths%20handy

https://dailycaring.com/10-tips-to-keep-seniors-cool-in-hot-weather/

https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tip-sheet-hot-weather-safety-tips-older-adults