Symptoms of Heat Stress in Seniors, and How You Can Help

Northern Virginia summers are hot and dangerous for seniors because they have a harder time maintaining body temperature norms than younger people. It’s important that all members of the community, and especially those with senior friends and family, be able to quickly recognize and act if they see any of the following symptoms of heat stress in their elderly loved ones. Our home care team can also help be your eyes and hands when you can’t be there: contact At Home Personal Care today at (703) 330-2323 to ask about our home care services during the summer.

1. Know the Symptoms of Heat Stress in Seniors

During hot weather, make sure to check in frequently with your senior loved ones and keep your eyes peeled for any of these heat exhaustion symptoms:

• The skin is flushed and red, but they may not be sweating, even though the temperature is high.
• They feel faint or dizzy.
• They have passing-out spells.
• They’re feeling nauseous or vomiting (can be a symptom of several problems, so get help).
• They seem lethargic, irritable or confused.
• They feel hot or have a temperature nearing 103F
• Their breathing is labored and they have a fast pulse
• They complain of pain or muscle cramps

Actions to Take if You See a Senior with Heat Stress

Quick, decisive action can help save your senior loved one from a heat stress or heat exhaustion emergency. So, if you see the symptoms above, quickly follow these steps:

• Call emergency medical help immediately. While you are waiting for them to arrive, take the following actions:
• Get the person out of the heat and sun as fast as you can. Find shade or, optimally, an air-conditioned building.
• Try to cool their body temperature down by having them sip cool water, and apply cool compresses. Depending on where you are and the resources available, help them get into a cool bath or shower, or fill a bucket with cool water where they can put their feet. Spritz them with cool water and fan him or her vigorously.
• Provide cool water to drink—do not offer any alcoholic beverages, as this can make the condition worse.
• Monitor their temperature. Anything over 103F is dangerous, so try to bring their temperature down to 101F. Keep them in a cool place and keep fanning and applying the cooling methods listed above to bring their temperature down until emergency personnel can arrive.

The Best Treatment for Senior Heat Stress is Prevention

Of course, the best thing to do for your senior loved ones is help them prevent situations in which they might get heat stress or heat exhaustion. Your Northern Virginia home care experts at At Home Personal Care can be there to help prevent these situations during times when you can’t be there. These are some of the important steps everyone can take to keep seniors safe in the summer heat:

• Help them stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day (usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) If they need to be outside, keep them in the shade and use portable fans, sun hats and keep them drinking cool water.
• Help them stay hydrated with cool water. Check to make sure they always have a refillable water bottle with them, preferably one that measures how much water is in it. That way, you, they or their home care team can monitor how much water they’re drinking and help them remember to take a sip when necessary.
• Make sure they have lots of breathable, loose, light-colored clothing to wear in the summer. This helps increase air circulation around the body. UV-blocking clothing, sun hats and sunglasses should complete the ensemble.

If it’s hard to stay in contact with your senior loved ones over the summer, enlist the At Home Personal Care team to help. Contact us at (703) 330-2323.