Older adults are more susceptible to heat-related issues than those of other ages. They are prone to dehydration because they have a significantly reduced capacity to hold water in their bodies. They also have less thirst sensation.
During hot weather, seniors are cautioned against staying too long under the heat of the sun.
What temperature is too hot for the elderly? When the temperature is 80℉ and above, older adults must take a more proactive approach to combating heat ailments.
What Are Heat-Related Issues in Adults?
Extreme heat is a big problem for all people, but older people have a higher tendency to fall ill due to heat-related issues. Heat and the elderly don’t mix.
Here are some heat illnesses that often affect adults:
Heat Stroke
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers heat stroke the most serious among all heat-related illnesses. It occurs when the body fails to control its temperature and rises to at least 106℉ within 10 to 15 minutes.
Without emergency treatment, heat stroke can lead to death or serious disability.
Symptoms of heat stroke in elderly:
● Extremely high body temperature
● Hot, dry skin
● Heavy sweating
● Loss of consciousness
● Seizures
● Confusion
● Slurred speech
When these symptoms emerge in an older adult, one must wet their skin or put them in a cold or ice bath to lower their body temperature. It will also help to put a wet or cold cloth on the skin.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat stroke. It happens when the body overheats. When left untreated or unmitigated, heat exhaustion could become heat stroke.
Here are the symptoms of heat exhaustion in seniors:
● Cool, moist skin
● Weak or rapid pulse
● Headache
● Goosebumps
● Heavy sweating
● Dizziness
● Fainting
● Nausea
● Low blood pressure
● Muscle cramps
If you feel any of the symptoms mentioned above, stop what you’re doing and move to a cooler place to rest. Drink lots of fluids, such as water and sports or electrolyte drinks.
Heat Syncope
Heat syncope refers to fainting or dizziness creeping in while being active in hot weather.
Staying active is recommended among older adults to keep their muscles healthy, and the perfect time to walk around the neighborhood is when the sun is out. However, if it is too hot, you may feel dizzy or faint under the glaring heat of the sun.
Older adults taking beta blockers as heart medication have a higher chance of experiencing this condition.
When the sun is out and so are you, wear protection like a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Drink plenty of water and try to stay under the shade if possible. If you feel dizzy, rest in a cool place and try to put your legs up.
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps usually occur when exercising or doing a physically strenuous activity under the sun’s heat. A cramp is a painful tightening of the arms, legs, or stomach muscles.
Exercising indoors is the best way to avoid heat cramps. But when cramps occur, you must stop immediately and find a cool spot to rest. Drink plenty of fluids to recover.
Heat Edema
People can experience swelling in their feet and hands when they are stationary—standing or sitting—for too long in a hot environment. The condition is called heat edema, which can affect people of any age.
However, older adults are already prone to leg swelling. This means extreme heat can easily exacerbate it. Many seniors also have chronic medical conditions that affect circulation, such as high cholesterol, blood pressure conditions, and heart issues. These will also increase the risk of heat edema.
Put your legs up to help reduce swelling. Heat edema is not a serious condition, but it can be painful and affect range of motion.
Heat Rash
Heat rash is a skin irritation characterized by red clusters of small blisters caused by heavy sweating. It happens when it’s hot and people sweat excessively under their clothing. Older adults who are confined to the bed most of the time have a higher chance of experiencing heat rash.
A prickly heat powder could soothe irritated skin. It is also advisable to change clothes when it gets damp from sweat and to stay in cool areas when the weather is too warm.
Why the Elderly Should Avoid Extreme Heat
While too much heat can be bad for everybody, the elderly are more prone to heat-related conditions because of the following:
Prescription Medication
Many older adults take maintenance medications for various ailments. Some of these medications affect the body’s ability to modulate its temperature.
One such example is the beta blocker, which is commonly prescribed to those with heart and blood pressure conditions. Those who take beta blockers are more likely to overheat than those who don’t.
Chronic Medical Condition
Aside from prescription medication, the elderly may also have chronic conditions that affect normal body responses to heat. One example is edema, which often affects seniors. Couple this with heat-induced edema, and the risk only increases.
Dehydration
Older adults are also prone to dehydration because the water reserves in the body decline with age. Thirst response also weakens over time, so the elderly are not always aware that their body needs water.
Kidney function also diminishes with age, which means a lot of hydration is lost during urination.
How to Keep Cool When It’s Hot
As the temperature increases, bringing out sunblock, a wide-brimmed hat, and a pair of sunglasses to keep cool when spending time outdoors becomes more important.
Here are some tips for older adults to remain cool during the hot season:
● Drink more water than you think you need
● Stay in air-conditioned places or beneath the shade
● Don’t use the stove or oven too much
● Wear light clothing
● Take cool showers
● Avoid doing strenuous activities
● If you need to stay active, do it indoors
● Keep up with weather updates
The elderly have many things to watch out for—they need to be careful with their food, activities, and medication. Now, you can add hot weather to the list.
These safety tips will ensure your well-being no matter where you are or what you do during the summer.
Resources
National Institute on Aging. Hot Weather Safety for Older Adults. NIA.NIH.gov. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-weather-safety-older-adults. Accessed 26 April 2023.
Health in Aging. Tip Sheet: Hot Weather Safety Tips For Older Adults. HealthInAging.org.
https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tip-sheet-hot-weather-safety-tips-older-adults#. Accessed 26 April 2023.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat-Related Illness. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatrelillness.html#. Accessed 26 April 2023.
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Heat Stress in Older Adults. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.html#. Accessed 27 April 2023.
