Heat can be very dangerous for an elderly adult. While everyone is vulnerable to the potential dangers of heat, the elderly are at particularly high risk, especially if they are dealing with other health complications, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, or poor circulation. As a family caregiver it should be an important feature of your warm weather care routine to help your senior stay cool so that they can avoid these potentially serious health problems. While many heat-related health injuries and illnesses are associated with being outdoors in the heat, your senior is also vulnerable when inside the house. In fact, the temperature inside can soar far higher than outdoors, creating a dangerous situation.

 

Use these tips to keep your elderly parent cool in their home:

• Cover the windows. Letting in the natural light can be nice, but if your parent’s home stays too warm, this can also allow in excessive heat. Pull the drapes during the times of the day when the sun is at its most intense to prevent the ambient heat.

 

• Avoid using the oven during the day. Using the oven heats up the home, so avoid using it when the sun is up.

 

• Keep them hydrated. Staying properly hydrated is critical to maintaining ideal body temperature. Make sure that your elderly loved one has access to cold water at all times, such as with a water bottle that they can keep with them.

 

• Watch what they eat. What your parent chooses to eat can make a tremendous difference in their body temperature. Eating a high protein diet can increase your parent’s internal body temperature and increase water loss. Choose cool foods with plenty of fluid, such as fruits and vegetables.

 

• Keep air circulating. If your parent does not have an air conditioner and they are not able to relocate to an air conditioned space, at least keep the air circulating in their home using fans. Turn the blades of ceiling fans to ensure that they are drawing the warm air up and out of the room.

 

Starting elder care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them in the course of your caregiver journey with them. An elderly home care services provider can be with your senior on the schedule that is right for them to provide a highly personalized set of services tailored toward addressing their individual challenges and limitations, as well as helping them to live a lifestyle that is active, engaged, independent, and fulfilling as possible as they age in place. Knowing that your senior has this type of support can also be a tremendous source of peace of mind for you as their family caregiver. Even when you are not able to be with them, you can rest assured that they will have the care, support, and assistance that they need to stay safe and healthy. When it comes to protecting your elderly parent from the heat, an elder care provider can be a valuable source of support, monitoring, and personalized services to help them stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay safe.

 

If you or an aging family member are considering hiring elder care in Roswell, GA, please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954.

We provide quality non-medical services to our clients in their homes or in a facility if that’s where they live. Our staff is available for care plans for extensive care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or as little as 4 hours per visit. Reach out to us, and one of our outstanding administrative staff will meet with potential clients to assist them and their families in designing an effective, personal plan of care.

 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr076.pdf

http://healthresearchfunding.org/17-shocking-heat-exhaustion-statistics/

http://knowbefore.weatherbug.com/2013/05/24/heat-awareness-day-dealing-with-a-major-killer/