How Seniors Can Keep Their Cool in the Heat of the Summer

July 10th, 2018 by John Wilson

With temperatures rising, it’s expected there will be some serious potential health complications for vulnerable age groups, particularly seniors. Those who are living in senior living communities have access to air conditioning and other features to keep them cool, but not everyone is in this position. If you know someone who requires senior care, the following tips can help them keep cool, despite the summer heat.

Listen to Your Body

Seniors often have greater difficulty listening to their bodies, which is why it’s important to pay close attention. Many of the signs of dehydration don’t manifest until it’s already too late. This is why it’s important to understand what you should be looking for. Talking to your senior’s doctor about their unique risks and how much heat they should be exposed to is essential in helping them make the right choices to beat the heat.

Consider Frozen Snacks

It’s good to eat and drink things that will help keep you cool. One of the best ways to do this is by choosing frozen snacks that will help reduce your body temperature and refresh you at the same time. Senior care services in OKC often provide these for their residents. Because it’s still important to consider your nutritional needs, frozen fruit is often one of the best choices.

Drink Plenty of Water

Seniors are more susceptible to dehydration and often don’t notice the signs until it’s too late. This is why it’s critical for the elderly to keep a bottle of water on hand at all times, taking sips throughout the day. When seniors approach drinking water in this manner, they are far more likely to stay on top of their hydration needs, which can help keep them cooler, despite the soaring temperatures.

Stay in the Shade

While it’s good to get outdoors and exercise, it’s also important to recognize staying out in the sun too long can have some serious consequences. Most seniors would do better to remain in the shade when they are outside, resorting to a simple shade umbrella if the need arises. However, in many cases, when the temperatures are particularly high, it’s typically best to remain indoors in a controlled environment.

Learn the Warning Signs

Many seniors don’t understand the warning signs of heat stroke and other serious problems caused by high temperatures. It can be beneficial to discuss these with your aging loved one, all while watching out for the signs yourself so you can get them the help they need quickly. Some of the signs your loved one is at risk of serious heat complications include:

• Nausea or vomiting

• Moodiness

• Difficulty breathing

• No sweating, despite high temperatures

• Fainting

• Headaches

If your loved one exhibits any of these signs, it’s important to get them in a cool environment, provide them with water and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

If you’re looking for reliable senior care services in OKC, contact us. We take the steps needed to keep our senior residents cooler in the summer months.