Is Your Aging Parent Safe from the Heat this Summer?

By Jamie Shapiro | June 29, 2016 | Comments Off on Is Your Aging Parent Safe from the Heat this Summer?

Elder Care in Evanston IL

The heat of the summer months can put your aging parent at serious risk during this time of year. Adults over the age of 64 tend to be much more vulnerable to the heat than younger people. This is because they are not as able to detect the heat and their bodies are not as capable of adjusting to temperature changes as younger people are. Older adults also tend to be at higher risk of dehydration due to not sensing thirst signals as reliably and not being in the habit of drinking fluids regularly. This dehydration puts them at even greater risk of overheating, which can have lasting consequences.

 

Use these tips to help ensure that your aging parent is safe from the heat this summer:

  • Ensure their air conditioning system works properly. When the temperatures get excessive, it is essential to keep the air inside the home cool and comfortable. If you are unsure of the effectiveness of your parent’s system, have a professional run a check and do any necessary repairs so that it does not break down during the hottest months of the year.
  • Consider humidity. The temperature in the home is not the only consideration when it comes to heat concerns. You must also consider humidity. If the humidity in the home is high it will make the home feel hotter and make it more difficult for the body’s natural cooling system to work efficiently. If you notice high humidity throughout the home, consider utilizing a de-humidifier to make it more comfortable.
  • Emphasize hydration. Encourage your parent to focus on getting enough hydration every day. For most people, eight glasses a day is minimum, but discuss your parent’s specific fluid needs with their doctor to ensure that they are getting the right amount.
  • Choose cool activities. Staying active is essential to health and wellbeing, but it can put your parent at greater risk of overheating. Choose activities that help keep them cool will protect their health as the temperatures creep up. Options such as swimming, seeing movies, or even just window shopping through the mall are good options for staying cool but also keeping their mind and body stimulated.

 

If you are a distance caregiver, or your schedule during the summer months is busy and you are not able to be in the home with your loved one as often as possible, your parent may be particularly vulnerable to hazards associated with the heat. Putting extra steps into place to ensure that they are properly supervised throughout the hottest months of the year is an important step in ensuring that they are safe from the heat even when the temperatures soar. Starting an elder care arrangement for your parent for this season can help you to achieve this goal and give you greater confidence that your aging parent is safe. Even if your parent is largely independent and does not need extensive care and assistance, having an elderly home care services provider come to the home regularly allows them to check in on your parent. This way if something happens that could put your parent’s health at risk, the care provider can respond quickly, get in touch with you, and start to make the important changes to keep your aging loved one safe.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Evanston, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

 

Sources:

https://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.asp

https://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/seniors.html

Jamie Shapiro
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