Five Tips for Senior Summer Safety

The summer heat can pose a danger to everyone, especially to seniors who are particularly vulnerable to heat-related injuries.  Pat Srenaski, occupational health nurse at VNA HealthCare explains, “As people age, their body processes change in ways that make them especially susceptible to heat. For example, the elderly may experience a decreased sense of thirst or be desensitized to the heat. They may also find that they’re not perspiring as much as they normally did when they were younger. Perspiration is the body’s natural cooling process and has a significant impact on body temperature.”  “Certain medical conditions or medications can also contribute to someone’s difficulty to dealing with the heat, too. It’s a potentially dangerous situation…any of these factors can quickly lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke,” Srenaski warned.  VNA HealthCare, a home health care and hospice agency serving more than 60 towns in Greater Hartford and Greater Waterbury, urges seniors to heed the following heat precautions for a healthy and safe summer:  

1.   Drink plentifully – but carefully. Thirst isn’t necessarily the primary symptom of dehydration – especially for seniors whose sense of thirst has decreased with age. Drink at regular intervals, even if you are not thirsty, but watch what you consume as both caffeinated and alcoholic beverages dehydrate the body by increasing urination.   

2.   Be fashion-conscious. Many seniors are not sensitive to heat and consequently do not dress appropriately for the weather. Loose-fitting, light-colored cotton is breathable and will keep you cool and comfortable.  

3.   Prepare for the great outdoors. A wide-brimmed hat, water bottle and sunscreen (the American Cancer Society recommends SPF 15 or greater) are staples for every outdoor adventure. If you must be active outdoors, pace yourself and take regular breaks. Be especially cautious during the mid-day hours when the sun is at its strongest.  

4.   Air out your home. If you don’t have a fan or air conditioning, you can create cross ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of your home. Keep the indoor temperature down by keeping shades or curtains drawn during the hottest hours of the day.  

5.   Take a vacation from big projects. Save your spring cleaning for exactly then – the spring. There’ll be time enough to tackle heavy-duty projects in the cooler months to come. Keep baking, cooking, ironing and other heat-generating activities for the morning or evening hours.