Summer Precautions for Seniors
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention say elders, ages 65 years and older, are more prone to heat related illness including heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
It is recommended you visit older adults at least twice a day to check for symptoms of heat stress, keep them cool and monitor water intake. However, if the elder’s doctor requires fluids to be regulated due to medications such as water pills, verify the requirements first.
Signs of heat exhaustion:
- Heavy sweating
- Paleness
- Muscle Cramps
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fainting
- Skin: may be cool and moist
- Pulse rate: fast and weak
- Breathing: fast and shallow
Check your local Senior Center as an optional cooling center if the elder’s air conditioning is unreliable.
A list of symptoms and other emergency preparedness information on heat-related illness can be found at the CDC website page.
Thanks for sharing the information. Share this with an elderly person you love today!