The dangers of hot weather

Heat waves can be dangerous for older adults, who for a variety of reasons can’t take heat as well they did when they were younger. In fact, it’s important for caregivers to view heat waves as equally dangerous as cold spells. Our guide to hot weather safety will tell you why heat waves can be so dangerous, and how you can help protect your parents during a heat wave.

Why is heat so dangerous?

Older people – especially those in their eighties or older – are extremely susceptible to changes in temperature. Their brain’s thermostat starts to lose its sensitivity to pick up temperature changes; circulatory problems and medications can throw an older person’s “thermostat” out of whack. Older people also lose their ability to sweat, which means they’re left without nature’s natural protective cooling system. And to make matters worse, older people also lose their sense of thirst, so may not crave a glass of water to cool them down during a heat wave.

Complicating things, most older people respect warnings about not going out in extreme cold yet seem to happily garden, mow their lawns or walk in ninety-degree heat. It’s almost seen as a badge of honor to be able to “take the heat” since their generation grew up without air conditioning. However, while it is normal for your parents not to feel the heat like they used to, it doesn’t mean they can take that heat. Just as you’d check in on your aging relatives during an ice storm, it’s good to do the same when the temperature stays in the nineties for more than two days.

Preventing heat stroke or hyperthermia

Here are some things you can do to make sure your parents don’t suffer from a heat stroke or hyperthermia during a heat wave:

• Make sure they drink plenty of fluids. Get them bottles of water to help keep track of their intake. For more information, see our article on how much water seniors should consume.

• Make sure they use air conditioning, but are not sitting directly in front of it, as their bodies could cool off too much and suffer hypothermia. On the other hand, don’t assume they have it on. Many older people keep it off so their electric bills won’t go up. 

• If they are using a fan, make sure a window is open to create a draft rather than simply circulating hot air in a closed room. You’d be surprised at the number of people who keep the windows closed because they are afraid someone will break in. 

• If your parents don’t have air conditioning, suggest they spend the day at the mall. If necessary, take them there, along with a few of their friends. 

• Make sure your parents are taking proactive steps to cool down. Taking a lukewarm bath is one of the most effective ways to cool down; keeping a cool cloth around the back of the neck is another.

• Call or visit twice a day. If your parents start acting confused, have a headache, are dizzy or nauseous, then they’re showing signs of a heat stroke. Call for immediate medical help. 

Real dangers

Whatever you do, check in with your parents and reach out to elderly neighbors when the National Weather Service and your local weather station warn of heat waves. They can be every bit as devastating to human life as a tornado. In Philadelphia in 1994 over 100 people, most of them elderly, died from the heat. As a result, many Area Agencies on Aging throughout the nation now give out fans, take people to air-conditioned senior centers or malls, and have identified at-risk elders through their home-delivered meals programs to reduce the incidence of heat-related deaths. You can call 1.800.677.1116 to find the nearest Area Agency on Aging to find out what they can do for your parents during a heat wave.

The bottom line

• Heat waves can be every bit as life threatening as extreme cold or a tornado, so it is important to check on older adults when the temperatures reach 90 or higher for two days or more.
• Older adults are less likely to heed heat wave warnings and will often garden, mow lawns and more because they grew up without air conditioning and believe they can “beat the heat.”
• You should visit your parents and other older adults during heat waves to make sure they are staying hydrated, using air conditioning and/or fans and are taking proactive steps to keep cool.
• Look for the signs of heat stroke – including confusion, dizziness, headaches and nausea – and get immediate medical help if you see them.
• Find your nearest Area Agency on Aging by calling 1.800.677.1116 to learn what they can do for your parents