Chronic health conditions are long-term diseases or illnesses. Chronic conditions are more likely to affect older adults than any other age group. Two or more chronic conditions affect eight out of every 10 seniors.
Exposure to hot weather can cause heat-related illnesses and make it more challenging to manage some chronic conditions. Let’s look at heat’s impact on older adults’ health and tips to keep seniors safe in extreme heat.
What Health Risks Do Seniors Face in Hot Weather?
Older adults may be affected by the following health conditions or symptoms when exposed to hot weather:
- Accelerated resting heart rate
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat rash
- Heatstroke
- High body temperature
Physiological changes occur as people age, and these changes make it harder for seniors’ bodies to control their temperature. Seniors also face an increased risk of heatstroke because they produce less sweat. Since sweating is the body’s typical response to heat, seniors may not realize they’re suffering from exposure to hot weather because their bodies aren’t producing as much sweat as they’d expect.
Warning Signs of Heat-Related Illnesses in Seniors
Common symptoms of heat-related illnesses seniors may experience include the following:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
What Types of Chronic Conditions Are Worsened by Heat?
Heat compounds the symptoms of many chronic health conditions, including the following:
- Autoimmune conditions: Exposure to heat can aggravate symptoms of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Diabetes: Hot weather affects your blood sugar levels because it can cause dehydration. People with diabetes are at risk of suffering from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) because of exposure to high temperatures.
- Heart disease: Hot weather can aggravate symptoms of heart disease and increase the risk of a heart attack because it causes the body to work harder to control its temperature.
- Multiple sclerosis: Heat exacerbates symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
- Respiratory illnesses: Hot weather can lead to environmental conditions that exacerbate symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Tips for Managing Chronic Conditions and Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses in Hot Weather
Employing effective heat safety precautions for elderly individuals with chronic illnesses helps manage these conditions. Many senior health tips that apply to chronic illnesses can also prevent heat-related illnesses.
How Can Seniors Stay Hydrated During Hot Weather?
It’s crucial for older adults to use effective senior hydration tips to stay hydrated because it helps regulate body temperature. Consequently, hydration helps prevent heart attacks because the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to regulate body temperature.
The best hydration tips for seniors during heatwaves and when outdoors during hot weather include the following:
- Carry a water bottle
- Drink a glass of water every hour
- Drink water even if you aren’t thirsty
Seniors should avoid the following:
- Alcohol
- Caffeinated beverages
- Drinks with high amounts of sugar
Alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and sugary drinks cause dehydration. When exposed to hot weather, consuming these beverages can damage your kidneys, make it harder to regulate your body temperature, and affect your blood sugar levels.
Are There Specific Diet Changes That Can Help Seniors Cope With Hot Weather?
Older adults can manage their hydration levels by consuming foods that have high water content. Adding the following fruits and vegetables to your diet can help you avoid complications with chronic conditions and prevent heat-related illnesses:
- Apples
- Bell peppers
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Grapefruit
- Iceberg lettuce
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
Skim milk, broth, and yogurt can also be consumed to prevent dehydration.
What Are the Best Clothing and Accessories for Seniors in Hot Climates?
Older adults can prevent overheating by wearing the following:
- Light-colored clothing that is:
- Made of breathable materials
- Loose
- Sunscreen
- Wide-brimmed hats
Stay in the shade whenever possible when outdoors to help prevent overheating and heat-related illnesses.
How Can Seniors Manage Medications in Extreme Heat?
Store medications in cool, dry places, such as drawers or cupboards. Keep medications out of direct sunlight. Medication becomes less effective when exposed to heat and moisture, so you should choose a location that isn’t humid or hot to preserve the medications.
What Should Seniors Include in Their Emergency Kits for Heatwaves?
An emergency kit is an essential resource that can protect you during heatwaves. Older Arizona adults residing in assisted living facilities may not need to keep a complete emergency kit on hand because facility staff will have essential resources for residents. Those living independently should include the following items in their emergency kits:
- Backup power supply
- Batteries
- Battery-powered handheld fan or mister
- Battery-powered radio
- Manual can opener
- Medications
- Non-perishable foods
- Sunscreen
- Thermometer
- Towels
- Water
Older adults with diabetes should add glucose tablets or gels to their emergency kit.
What Are Safe Indoor Activities for Seniors During Heat Waves?
Although it may not be possible to spend time outdoors during a heat wave, older adults should stay active to maintain their health. Older adults can do this during summer heatwaves by engaging in safe indoor activities for seniors. Safe indoor exercises include the following:
- Chair exercises
- Dancing
- Swimming
- Tai chi
- Walking
- Yoga
How Can Caregivers Assist Seniors in Managing Chronic Conditions During Hot Weather?
One of the benefits of moving to an Arizona nursing home, a skilled care facility, or an assisted living facility is that residents are surrounded by trained staff who know how to manage chronic conditions and keep seniors healthy in hot weather.
Caregivers at facilities for older adults help manage chronic health conditions during hot weather by monitoring residents for signs of heat-related illnesses and complications with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Caregivers can monitor the weather and inform residents in the morning, encouraging them to dress appropriately for the temperatures if they’re going outside. Caregivers can provide those going out with essentials, such as water bottles and sunscreen.
Caregivers monitor the facility’s temperature and ensure it stays cool. They can also close blinds and curtains to help regulate the indoor temperature.
Caregivers maintain emergency supplies to have essential resources in case the facility loses power.
Personalized Support at Haven Health
Haven Health provides superior care for seniors in Arizona. Our services include the following:
- Assisted living
- Complex wound care
- Infectious disease care
- Memory care
- Skilled nursing care
Haven Health is the best choice for quality care for older adults in Arizona because of our commitment to providing personalized, expert care for all residents. As part of our commitment to superior senior care, we hire highly qualified professionals with the essential training needed to care for residents’ needs. Are you wondering if it’s time to move yourself or an older family member to a nursing home or another type of facility? Contact Haven Health to discuss your needs and concerns. We’ll answer questions, explain our services, and provide the quality care you or your loved one deserves.
Sources
Brodkey, F. (2022). Aging changes in vital signs.
Can Dehydration Affect Your Kidneys? (2018).
Get the Facts on Healthy Aging. (2024).