Too much heat can be dangerous for anyone, but it’s especially true for older adults. Heat and humidity place greater stress on our bodies the older we get.
And too much time spent in the heat can lead to heat-related illnesses, even for seniors who are fit.
The temperature – inside or outside – doesn’t have to reach 100° F to put older adults at risk for a heat-related illness, the National Institute on Aging cautions.
“Older people living in homes or apartments without air-conditioning or fans are at most risk,” the NIA says.
Family members, caregivers and neighbors can help by making daily visits to older adults’ homes or apartments during heat waves, as well as offering to help take them someplace cool, such as an air-conditioned mall, a library or senior center, or in someone else’s home.
The NIA also suggests reminding older adults to:
- Keep their home or apartment as cool as possible. Limit use of the oven and keep shades, blinds or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day. At night, open windows when air-conditioning isn’t available.
- Dress for the weather. Some people find natural fabrics, such as cotton, feel cooler than synthetic fibers.
- Not exercise or do a lot of activities outdoors when it’s hot.
- Avoid crowded places when it’s hot outside.
Check the weather report before going outside. If the temperature or humidity is going up or an air pollution alert is in effect, the risk of a heat-related illness increases.
