8 Hot Weather Advice for Seniors to Keep Them Safe During Heat Wave

Look for hot weather advice for seniors? Too much heat can threaten anyone, especially the elderly. They are often very sensitive to weather changes, especially hot weather. They might feel confused or faint, and their hearts could become stressed and stop beating. Thus, it is essential to get relief from the heat quickly and pay attention to diet and activities. Be aware of the following tips to avoid possible diseases!

Best hot weather safety tips for older adults

Why Can Hot Weather Be Bad for Seniors?

Is hot weather bad for the elderly? As people age, their bodies' ability to manage heat declines, which can be dangerous if improperly handled. 

Individuals over the age of 65 are more likely to be hospitalized for heat-related illnesses than younger individuals. The most frequent heat-related illnesses are heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and, most severely, heat stroke.

"With aging, our bodies produce less sweat, which is the body's natural way of cooling down," said Roshni Kundranda, MD, a geriatric medicine expert with Banner Health. 

"This reduced sweat response makes it hard to regulate your body temperature in hot weather."

How hot weather affects older adults

The elderly with chronic medical diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and mental health issues, as well as those taking specific drugs, are more likely to suffer heat-related illnesses. 

Moreover, some seniors have difficulty moving around, so they may be unable to reach a cooler place when it is hot, increasing their risk of being ill from the heat.

Hot Weather Advice for Seniors

Stay hydrated

People in their 60s and older are already at a higher risk of dehydration, and hot weather may worsen the problem. Lack of water in your system might cause you to feel faint and nauseous, resulting in dizziness and falls.

As a result, elders must remember to drink water and carry it with them during heat waves.

Drink plenty of water

Furthermore, limit your caffeinated or alcoholic beverages and liquids with a high sugar content. Foods for hot weather, like fresh fruits and vegetables (watermelon, grapes, cucumbers, etc), can also help you stay hydrated. 

Air condition

Another hot weather advice for elderly is air conditioning. Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned environments. If you do not have air conditioning, go somewhere that does. 

For instance, you may read a book at the library, browse around indoor malls, see a new movie at the cinema, or meet up with friends at the senior center.

Skip outdoor activities

Limit outdoor activities

The garden may want your care, the dog may require physical activity, or your usual walking companions may wish to maintain their schedule. However, sticking to routines in extremely hot weather is not advisable. 

Give yourself or your loved ones permission to avoid gardening, walking, or working out for a few days. Hire a neighbor to walk your pet or mow the lawn.

Wear protective clothing

One of the best heat safety tips for elderly is to wear protective clothing.

Our skin changes as we get older. Aging impacts our skin's suppleness, hydration retention, collagen production, and sensitivity to external elements such as the sun. 

Hence, another tip to deal with hot weather for seniors is to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes in bright colors that reflect sunshine. A wide-brimmed hat and UV-filtered sunglasses can also help protect against the sun's UV radiation.

► Check out some sunny weather outfits!

Wear protective clothing

Use sunscreen

In addition to wearing sunglasses and hats, don’t forget to apply sunscreen. You should choose products of SPF 30 or higher to protect against both UVA and UVB radiation, reducing the risks of skin diseases in summer season.

Check weather forecast

Regularly update weather news to know if the temperature is rising, a storm alert is in effect, or you are at risk of a heat-related illness. Remember to check the weather report before going outside.

Visit GoWeatherForecast to get the latest news

A senior visit

It’s recommended to visit older relatives and neighbors daily during hot weather. Remind them to drink lots of water or juice. If there is a heatwave, offer to help them go to cool places such as air-conditioned rooms.

Consult a doctor

The last warm weather advice for elderly is to consult a doctor. Before summer arrives and the activities begin, you or a loved one should see a doctor to find out if they have any limits or worries. 

Talk to your doctor about your concerns and how to stay safe while enjoying the season.

Consult a doctor

How to Spot and Avoid Heat-related Illnesses?

In addition to knowing the aforementioned tips for elderly in the heat, you should be able to determine when hot weather is making your loved one unwell and when to seek medical care. 

Here is a list of health concerns induced by overexposure to heat and how to avoid them.

Dehydration	Symptoms: Headache, weakness, dizziness, confusion, muscle cramps & passing out Tips: Drink plenty of water
Heat stroke	Symptoms: A body temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher; hot, red & dry skin; headache; dizziness; nausea or vomiting; passing out Tips: Call 911 immediately; Move to a cool, shaded location and remove or loosen heavy clothes.
Heat exhaustion	Symptoms: Heavy sweating or no sweating, tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, paleness,... Tips: Move to a cool, shaded location & drink plenty of water. Call 911 immediately.
Heat syncope	Symptoms: Dizziness or fainting Tips: Lie down with your feet up, and drink plenty of water and other cool liquids.

Conclusion

The most important thing to protect health in this inclement weather is for each person to increase awareness of preventing illness. We hope these hot weather advice for seniors helps you protect the health of your loved one!