What to do in hot Weather?
Senior citizens tend to struggle to maintain a decent quality of life in the summer when the temperatures approach triple digits and the humidity ramps up to uncomfortable levels. Even a humid 80-degree day can make it difficult to enjoy time outdoors, especially for an individual in his or her 70s or 80s. However, remaining inside a cramped apartment or small home throughout the entirety of the summer is not good for mental health.
Consider spending the afternoon in an indoor setting with central air conditioning such as a mall, movie theater or senior citizens’ center. Consume water and other drinks to stay hydrated. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as both are diuretics, meaning they will prompt the senior in your life to use the bathroom at a higher frequency. If necessary, remain seated or even lie down to settle down after exposure to the heat.
If the senior you care for complains of heat exhaustion or other heat-related problems, sponge him or her with cool water. Do not hesitate to reach out to the medical professionals for guidance. Below, we delve into hot weather activities for seniors, the best way to stay cool in hot humid weather, ways to keep cool in summer and at home activities for senior citizens in the summer.
Fun ways to cool down on a hot Day
Operating an air conditioner, running a fan, closing the blinds and remaining out of the hot sun will certainly keep you and the senior you care for cool during the dog days of summer. Hot seniors can also cool down by remaining in the shade, ideally in a sheltered space with air conditioning. When in doubt, run cool water on the hands and other sites to reduce the body temperature.
How to keep the house cool in hot Weather
Aside from running the air conditioner, you can keep a senior’s home cool in the summer by closing the blinds. Add ceiling fans, seal gaps in window frames and door frames to keep the hot air outside and do your best to minimize the opening of doors.
How to stay cool outside in hot humid Weather
Staying comfortable during hot and humid weather while outdoors is especially challenging unless you want to carry water and a personal fan everywhere you go. Reduce your body temperature to the best of your ability by hydrating and minimizing physical exertion. Resist the temptation to consume any hot foods or beverages as they’ll hike your body temperature all the more. Opt for foods containing water such as fresh fruit and you’ll infuse your body with much-needed hydration on hot and sunny days.
How does hot weather affect the Elderly?
Insufficient blood circulation and/or sweat glands that don’t function as efficiently as they should are examples of alterations that manifest in the skin as a result of the aging process. Such conditions are exacerbated by hot and humid weather. Furthermore, seniors with kidney disease, lung disease or heart diseases are that much more vulnerable when the temperatures soar.
What are the symptoms of heat stroke in the Elderly?
You will have a good idea that the senior you love so much is suffering from heat stroke if you pay close attention to the symptoms that commonly indicate such a health problem. Examples of heat stroke symptoms in the elderly include a slow pulse, flushed skin, an elevated body temperature and fainting.
Even alterations in behavior and temperament such as feeling angry, staggering and becoming agitated faster than usually occurs are indications of overheating and potential heat stroke. Significant muscle spasms in the feet, calves, hands and other parts of the body are also signs of heat stroke. Though muscle spasms might dissipate on their own, spasms have the potential to extend beyond the initial 24 to 48 hours.
What temperature is too hot for Seniors?
The temperature that is ideal for the senior in your life is not guaranteed to be optimal for another senior. Elderly individuals often find it difficult to properly regulate their body temperature in the summer months, even when indoors. Unless the senior in your life has central air conditioning that he or she understands how to use, you should be seriously concerned with the potential for heat exhaustion.
Each degree on the thermostat matters as a home that has a temperature that is slightly too low has the potential to lead to hypothermia. If the temperature is too high, there is a risk of overheating, exhaustion, heat-related stroke and other negative health outcomes.
How do elderly people stay cool in hot Weather?
Staying cool when the sun is blazing hot, few clouds are in the sky and no rain is in the forecast is a hurdle no senior looks forward to overcoming. Even a brief walk from the car to the entrance of a supermarket in the summer heat has the potential to leave a senior exhausted. Aside from running the air conditioning and fans, seniors are encouraged to drink water and drinks containing electrolytes throughout the day to remain hydrated.
At home activities for senior citizens in hot Weather
Activities in the water will help seniors remain cool and comfortable throughout the summer. Indoor activities in air-conditioned spaces are ideal, at least until the sun begins to set. If the senior you care for insists on enjoying the sun, have him or her hold an umbrella while wearing a fisherman’s hat to shield the sun throughout the outdoor expedition. Things for elderly to do inside include puzzles, card games, movies, cooking and even old-fashioned but enjoyable shared activities such as charades.
When in doubt, opt for a comfortable reading session in the shade or even indoors where it is cool, comfy and calm. If the senior you love complains of loneliness during the hot and humid summer, suggest engaging in a videoconference with the grandkids, nephews or other distant relatives from the temperature-controlled comfort of home.