Heat Affects Older People More. Here’s How to Stay Safe Dana G. Smith - The New York Times
go to original July 25, 2023

The Basics: Signs of Heat Exhaustion (WebMD)

People often think that heat needs to be extreme (say, over 100 degrees) to cause illness, but in older adults, signs of heat exhaustion can emerge when temperatures are as low as 80 degrees.

“Twenty-year-olds can go out in 80-degree weather for hours and generally be OK,” said Dr. Angela Primbas, a geriatrician at U.C.L.A. Health. “That’s not true for older adults.”

Physical exertion increases a person’s risk for heat illness because the body starts to generate even more heat. On hot days, Dr. Primbas said, older adults and people with serious health conditions should limit outdoor activities like walking and gardening to the cooler mornings and evenings, take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Listen to your body, too: If the activity starts to feel harder than normal, that’s a signal to stop and find a place to cool down.

Signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion include dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, a racing heart or feeling lethargic. Low energy — if someone is not talking or interacting as much as usual — is especially important to watch out for in people with cognitive impairment, who may not realize how hot they are or be able to express it.

While older adults face unique challenges when it comes to heat, the ways to cool down are the same for any age. If you or a loved one start to experience any of the above symptoms, the best thing you can do is to go somewhere that has air-conditioning, Dr. Kenny said. The indoor temperature doesn’t have to be “subzero,” he added, just aim for 77 degrees or below. If AC isn’t available in the home, check if there’s a local cooling center.

In the absence of air-conditioning, water is “extremely helpful in reducing our risk for heat-related injury,” Dr. Crandall said. He advised rubbing an ice cube over your skin, spraying yourself with cool water, drenching your shirt, or taking a cool shower or bath.

Whatever you do, take heat seriously. It’s the No. 1 cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, and many of those fatalities are preventable.

Read the rest at The New York Times

Related: Extreme Heat Kills: Record Temps Leave Us All Vulnerable (WebMD)

Related: How to Stay Cool and Safe in a Heat Wave (The New York Times)