Home Safety Tips For Seniors in Hot Weather
Learn how to prevent and recognize symptoms of overheating, as well as emergency preparedness tips for caregivers and eldercare in hot weather.
Home Safety Tips For Seniors in Hot Weather
Hot Weather Precautions and Emergency Preparedness
Home safety tips for seniors include hot weather precautions. Caregivers and eldercare in summer means getting out and doing more. Emergency preparedness for hot weather includes prevention.
Summer time is also a time to be aware of your aging loved one and those with chronic illnesses. They are at an increased risk for heat related illness. Heat related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Caregivers when taking care of the elderly it is important to educate your aging loved one on the signs and symptoms of overheating and how to prevent them.
Symptoms of Overheating
Heat exhaustion is usually caused by spending too much time in the heat and not drinking enough fluids. Dehydration in the elderly is serious.
Signs to be aware of are:
- heavy sweating
- paleness
- muscle cramps
- tiredness
- weakness
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- fainting
HEAT STROKE: Much more severe is heat stroke, with symptoms such as high body temperatures and rapid pulse that can be fatal.
The signs and symptoms are:
- high body temperature
- the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin
- rapid pulse
- difficulty breathing
- strange behavior
- hallucinations
- confusion
- agitation
- disorientation
- seizure
- coma
- nausea or vomiting
- fainting
Heat Related Illnesses in the Elderly
If you are experiencing hot weather or if a heat wave is predicted, there are things that you can do to prevent heat related illness.
For those that do not have air conditioning go to a public place such as a mall, library or recreation center. It is the most effective way to combat heat. If air conditioning is not available, open the windows, Pull the shades down to keep out the sun and use cross-ventilation and fans to cool rooms.
Click here for a home safety checklist and home safety tips for seniors on hot weather precautions.
Heat related illnesses are easily prevented. Follow the guidelines and make sure you check on others that may not have family and friends to make sure that they are safe as well.
Our Resource section can help you find the information and tools that you need. We have courses, videos, checklists, guidebooks, cheat sheets, how-to guides and more.
You can get started by clicking on the link below. We know that taking care of a loved one is hard work, but with our help you can get the support that you need.
Click here to go to Resource Section now!