You may already be mourning the end of summer. With just a month left for picnics, barbeque’s and lazy days at the water before the cooler temperatures of fall start to kick in, you may have already shifted your min
d set to back to school shopping and fall fashion favorites like boots and scarves.
However, August has some of the hottest temperatures of the summer, and it is important to remember that hot days can pose a safety hazard for the elderly people in your life. Of course you remember to put sunscreen on your children, but you can also help your parents, grandparents and other older adults in your life, by reminding them of these summer heat safety tips for the elderly.
- Drink Extra Water – A lot of the damage from heat exposure comes from the loss of fluid and dehydration the body experiences when it is overheated. On a hot day, drink more water than usual.
- Put Off Outdoor Activities – If you have air conditioning in your home, stay inside on especially hot days. The yard work can wait until the temperatures drop and you can use the summer heat as a good excuse to catch up on some reading. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, take a trip to a senior center, library or other air-conditioned facilities during the hottest parts of the day. If you don’t have reliable transportation, your city probably offers transportation options for seniors. Look into these options before it gets hot, because you don’t want to be out walking on hot days.
- Cool yourself off. If you notice you’re getting too warm, use a cool wet cloth to cool off your arms, neck, face and legs, or consider taking a cool shower. If your body temperature rises over 101 degrees, you feel your pulse race, you feel dizzy or faint, you experience nausea, or develop a headache, call 911 for emergency help
Don’t forget that summer heat can be dangerous for people you love, and remember these summer heat safety tips. It never hurts to check in on friends, neighbors and family members when the temperatures heat up.
