Florida summers can get pretty hot, and too much heat can actually cause serious health complications and even death for seniors. Knowing when to stay inside and run the AC, as well as drinking plenty of water and wearing the right clothes can all help reduce your risks of heat-related illnesses.

Sadly, every summer around 200 Americans die from heat related complications. When there is high heat and high humidity, these problems tend to be worse.

Certain older adults are more prone to heat-related illness or death. If you suffer from age-related physical changes in the body, chronic health conditions, or take certain medications known to produce a negative interaction with heat, you are more likely to get sick this summer.

Here Are The Top Summer Safety Tips For Seniors To Stay Healthy

1. Stay Inside When The Thermostat Ticks Above 90°

If it’s over 90° F outside you should try to stay indoors as much as possible. You might want to consider waiting to go for your walk, prune the garden or fix the car until temperatures cool down a bit.

2. Run Your Air Conditioning

Your air conditioner could very well save your life. Set your thermostat to automatically turn on when inside temperatures hit over 78° F. If you don’t have a central air conditioning system you could add an in-room unit so that you have someplace cool to escape when temperatures heat up.

If you need assistance paying for air conditioning there are programs available through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP helps adults 65 and older with limited incomes afford air-conditioning units and utility bills. To see if you qualify call: 1-866-674-6327.

3. Take Water With You Everywhere You Go

Staying hydrated is key to staying healthy in the heat. As soon as the body becomes dehydrated you are at risk for certain functions and organs to start shutting down. At the very least you will start to feel sick if you become dehydrated.

Take water with you everywhere that you go and constantly take sips to ensure you stay hydrated. You should never wait until you feel thirsty to drink water, because by the time you feel thirsty the body is already dehydrated.

If you drink alcohol or caffeine make even more of an effort to drink water, as these beverages dehydrate the body.

Signs of dehydration include:

  • Weakness
  • Headaches
  • Muscle cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Passing out
  • Decreased urination
  • Extreme thirst

If you are experiencing dehydration you need to get to the doctor as soon as possible. Severe dehydration may even require a trip to the emergency room.

4. Wear The Right Clothes To Stay Cool

What you wear will impact how hot you get. Try wearing loose, comfortable clothing in light colors, as dark colors will absorb heat and make you hotter. Don’t forget a large brimmed hat for added sun protection.

5. Wear Sunscreen

Whenever you’re going to be outside pack on the sunscreen, wearing at least SPF 15.

6. Know How To Cool Down Quickly When You Start Getting Overheated

When you are feeling overheated avoid taking a shower or bath that is too hot or too cold. Instead shoot for a lukewarm bath or shower to help cool you down. If you’re not near the comfort of your bathroom, cool rags can be placed on your armpits, wrists, ankles and neck for a similar effect.

7. Choose Quality Melbourne Transportation Service For Seniors

We do everything in our power to keep senior patients cool and comfortable even on the hottest days of the year. On the contrary, transportation services with poor vehicle quality, where broken air conditioners slip under the radar, can create stifling conditions that present severe health dangers. When you catch a ride with Stellar, you can rest assured nothing like that will ever happen. We take great pride in providing leading services catered to patient needs.

Common Illnesses Caused By Heat

If you don’t follow precautions to stay cool during the summer a number of illnesses may negatively impact your health and even put your life in danger.

Dehydration

Dehydration remains a leading cause of illness in elderly patients, as well as people of all ages. As soon as the body is thirsty, it is already dehydrated.

Heat Stroke

Heat Stroke is a potentially deadly increase in body temperature. Signs of heat stroke include red, hot, dry skin, or a temperature of 103° F or higher. You may also experience vomiting, passing out, fast pulse, headache, dizziness, confusion or nausea. You need to call 911 at the first signs of heat stroke.

Heat Exhaustion

When extreme heat and dehydration combine you can become sick with heat exhaustion. If left untreated this develops into heat stroke. Common signs of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating or no sweating, muscle cramps, paleness, exhaustion, cold or clammy skin, dizziness, fainting, and nausea or vomiting.

If these symptoms start you need to get out of the heat and to a cool, shady location as fast as possible. Drink fluids and take off any heavy clothing. If you have high blood pressure or heart related problems you need to call 911 right away.

Heat Syncope

When you faint because of high temperatures it is known as heat syncope. Warning signs include dizziness prior to fainting. Lie down in a cool location with your feet up and drink plenty of fluids.

Keeping Seniors Safe All Summer Long

Stellar Transportation is proud to help keep seniors safe summer after summer with our state of the art non-emergency medical transportation. We cater to seniors of varying mobility, even offering door-through-door services. Contact us today to get a free quote on your next ride!