Common Heat-Related Illnesses to Watch for this Summer

It’s summer and time to get outside and enjoy the nice weather, but with this nice weather also comes some possible dangerous health conditions that could negatively affect your elderly loved one’s health. Because of that, it’s important to prepare for any type of event or outing that you’ll be attending this summer with your loved one so that they’ll stay safe. A senior home care provider can be alert about the signs of illnesses and ways to prevent them.

Five Common Heat-Related Illnesses That Strike the Elderly Each Year

Sunburn

Sunburn occurs when the skin becomes damaged due to being overexposed to the sun. On bright summer days, it can happen in a very short time if proper prevention hasn’t been taken. If any area of skin begins to appear pinkish or feel warm, it is getting over-exposed.

Heat Cramps

Cramping can occur when working out in the heat and not having enough to drink. Your loved one may feel spasms in their stomach, legs, or arms.

Heat Rash

A skin irritation from heavy sweating, heat rash, will create red clusters of small blisters that look similar to pimples on the skin. It might feel itchy or tingly.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat Exhaustion is a warning that a heat stroke might be imminent. Your loved one may feel dizzy, weak, thirsty, and nauseous. Their skin may feel cold and clammy.

Heat Stroke

The most dangerous heat-related illness is a medical emergency when the internal temperature reaches 104°F or above. Medical help is needed immediately.

Best Prevention for Heat-related Illnesses

While you don’t want your loved one to spend most of the summer hiding from the heat, there are important steps your loved one can take before they leave the house to reduce their risk of succumbing to a heat-related illness.

A senior home care provider can help your loved one prepare for a few hours in the sun by helping with these steps.

Have their senior home care provider do a last-minute review of the weather. It’s important to know how bad it is outside and what time of day will be worst. If the danger is too great, your loved one should give serious consideration to skipping the event.

Their senior home care provider can help her dress best for the weather. For many seniors, hot weather doesn’t mean they should wear a tank top and shorts. Long, loose-fitting clothing can protect their skin better from the sun and even help them stay cooler than tightly-fitting clothing that leaves too much bare skin.

Plan on hydrating – a lot! Unless your loved one is 100 percent sure that there will be an endless supply of water for them to drink while out, they should have their senior home care provider pack them up at least one refillable water bottle to help them stay hydrated as they enjoy their event.

Wear sunscreen and bring extra with. Any exposed skin should be covered. If your loved one cannot reach all of the areas of skin that will be exposed, a senior home care provider can assist with applying sunscreen.

Review the signs of heat-related illnesses before they occur so that if they begin to experience any of them, they can seek immediate help and treatment.

Summer days are something to be enjoyed to the fullest, but being safe while doing it will ensure that your senior will be able to enjoy many more in their future.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care Services in Roswell, GA, please contact the caring staff at CaraVita Home Care today. (770) 643-1712