With summer upon us, we are all excited to get outside, soak up some sun, and enjoy all the summer activities! This is an especially great time of year for older adults, who can participate in their outdoor summer hobbies, to continue to stay active and healthy! With summer, there isn’t the worry of extreme cold, snow, or ice, but you do need to think of the extreme heat with your loved ones.
Older adults take longer for their body to respond to increased air temperature. Due to this, older adults are less tolerant to the increase in heat temperatures. The decreased tolerance makes older adults more at risk for illnesses related to being overheated. (Antonia et al., 2018)
How can you help prevent overheating with older adults?
- Stay hydrated – drink water or clear juices – stay away from caffeine or alcohol! Caffeine and alcohol can cause you to lose more water
- Use sunscreen
- Dress appropriately – wear light colored, loose clothing
- Spend as much time as possible in air conditioning
- Try stay away from direct sun exposure
- Cool down – take cooler showers or sponge baths. Or, try place wet wash cloths, with cool water, on armpits, neck, ankles, and wrists
(Healthinaging.org, 2019)
Summer is a great time for you, or your loved one, to be active in the fresh air. Don’t let the heat scare you away from enjoying the fresh summer air! Be aware of what precautions to take with heat and go out and enjoy the beautiful summer weather!
Resources Utilized:
Antonia, K., Glen, K. P., & Andreas, F. D. (2018). The impact of heat waves on mortality among the elderly: A mini systematic review. Journal of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.23937/2469-5858/1510053
Healthinaging.org. (2019, July). Tip sheet: Hot weather safety tips for older adults. Tip Sheet: Hot Weather Safety Tips for Older Adults | HealthInAging.org. Retrieved June 3, 2022, from https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tip-sheet-hot-weather-safety-tips-older-adults
