This Texas heat is no joke. Older adults need extra caution to survive the summer months.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people 65 years of age or older are more prone to heat-related health problems, which can be deadly.
The National Weather Service predicts temperatures to be over 100 degrees in Texas this week and through the weekend.
More:NWS: Austin temperatures may reach 107 this week — the hottest day so far this summer
Whether caring for a senior or you’re an older person living alone, it’s important to stay out of the heat as much as possible.
Understanding the signs of heat-related illness can keep seniors from visiting the emergency room.
What temperature is too hot for seniors?
Health and Aging says older adults should avoid extreme heat when the temperature climbs above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to their report, each summer, over 600 Americans lose their lives to health issues linked to extreme heat and humidity. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to age-related physical changes, ongoing health problems, and the side effects of certain medications.
How can older adults stay safe during excessive heat?
People engage in outdoor activities like jogging, gardening, or walking a pet, but even doing these things earlier in the day can be too much on the body.
Here are some tips to protect older adults in the heat:
- Stay away from direct sun exposure: If possible, plan your outdoor activities early in the morning or when the sun starts to set.
- Air conditioning: Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned spaces. If you don’t have an air conditioner, go somewhere that is air-conditioned. For example, read a book at the library, walk around in indoor malls, watch that new movie at the theater, or meet your friends at the senior center. (Note: The federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps adults 65 and older with limited incomes cover the cost of air conditioners and utility bills. To reach your state’s LIHEAP program, call 1-866-674-6327.)
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of cool water, clear juices, and other liquids that don’t contain alcohol or caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine cause you to lose water by making you urinate more.
- Dress appropriately. Whenever you can, try wearing loose, light-colored clothes. Avoid dark-colored clothes as they may absorb heat. Top it off with a lightweight, broad-brimmed hat.
- Wear sunscreen: Buy a broad spectrum sunscreen lotion or spray with sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply the sunscreen liberally to all exposed skin. Also, bugs are abundant in summer, so spray insect repellent when going outdoors.
- Stay cool: Take mild showers, baths, or sponge baths when you’re feeling warm. Don’t have the time? Then wet washcloths or towels with cool water and put them on your wrists, ankles, armpits, and neck.
When to go to the ER for heat-related illnesses
Knowing the symptoms of early heat exhaustion can save a life:
- Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin.
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Feeling exhausted
- Nausea
- Heavy sweating
People with these symptoms should immediately rest in a cool, shaded place and drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids if conscious.
Seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or your local emergency number for symptoms that include cool, moist, pale skin, rapid pulse, elevated or lowered blood pressure, nausea, loss of consciousness, vomiting, or a high body temperature.
