How To Safely Enjoy the Summer as a Senior -
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For many people, summer is a time of travel, relaxation or fun. Kids are on break and it’s time to drive across the country to visit relatives, host a party or tan on the sun bed of some exotic beach. For seniors, the combination of sun and heat is a dangerous one if precautions aren’t followed. Older people are more prone to the risks of heat-related illnesses because of their inability to conserve water in their bodies. With an increased rate in dehydration which also lowers the body’s ability to sustain a healthy temperature, seniors face a greater risk of heat stroke or sunburn.

From 1999 till 2009, almost 40% of heat and heat-related deaths occurring in the U.S.A were adults over 65 years old. There have also been numerous reports of heat strokes and deaths from senior care services in Chennai, India because of its high temperatures and lack of proper knowledge on how the heat affects seniors in summer. This is because with age, human bodies become lesser and lesser efficient at temperature regulating because they don’t sweat   a lot and fat storage is more complex in seniors. These crucial heat-regulation mechanisms complicate matters further. There are several health and lifestyle factors that intensify the risk of heat-related illness such as:

  • ⇒ Chronic illnesses
  • ⇒ Salt-restricted diets
  • ⇒ Medication that inhibit sweating
  • ⇒ Dehydration
  • ⇒ Overdressing
  • ⇒ Lack of constant airflow and
  • ⇒ Living in hot geographical areas

Early warnings of heat exhaustion, a predecessor of the more lethal heat stroke, include weakness, tiredness, excessive sweating, dizziness and persistent headaches. Then as exhaustion progresses, symptoms may progress to nausea, vomiting and fainting.

Heat stroke can take effect as quick as 10-15 minutes and is caused when the body’s internal temperature rises faster than its natural cooling rate. Heat stroke is an advanced form of hyperthermia that can be life-threatening. Make sure you know the signs and get medical aid immediately if anyone, including you, experiences these symptoms:

  • ⇒ Headache
  • ⇒ Not sweating, even if it’s hot out
  • ⇒ A sudden change in mannerism or behaviour
  • ⇒ Heavy breathing or a rapid pulse
  • ⇒ Dry, flushed skin
  • ⇒ Nausea and vomiting
  • ⇒ Fainting

If you or an elder feels any of the listed symptoms, lie down in a cooler location after asking for help and lower your temperatures with ice packs. Here are some more tips to follow to stay safe in the summer.

Stay Hydrated
Dehydration affects seniors more than children and younger adults because as we age, we lose our ability to preserve water. Elderly people are also less aware of thirst, besides being have unable to adjust to temperature fluctuations easily. Remember to keep an eye on fluid intake and to make sure that you drink several smaller portions to avoid bloating or feeling queasy. Try creating new fruit juice recipes if plain water becomes unappealing after some time. Fruits like watermelon and cucumber have high water content and have a cooling effect on the body, effectively solving two problems.

Keep Cool and Stay Indoors
A slight temperature change can reduce the lifespan of a senior coping with medical condition of the chronic nature medical. Libraries, shopping malls and movie provide cool spaces if your own home doesn’t have air conditioning. The government has several loan schemes available for senior citizens to buy air-conditioners for their homes. They are also a great opportunity to leave the house and go somewhere without fearing the heat. However, if travelling to the mall disagrees with you or you do not want to be outside at all, stay indoors and try not to push yourself. This is also a great time to have family members and friends over.

Wear Cool Natural Fibres
If you like being outdoors and activities like gardening and walking make sure you wear the right clothing. Keep track of how much time you spend in the sun and drink water when exercising. Consider going outdoors early morning or late evening when it is cooler. Natural fabrics like cotton allow the skin to breathe and keep the body cooler.  Loose, light-coloured clothing are better for summer.

Wear a Hat, Sunscreen and Protect Your Eyes
wearing a hat and smothering on sunscreen become more crucial with age. Use a non-allergic sunscreen with a high SPF especially if you have lighter skin. Protect your head from the sun’s harsh rays by donning a hat. This also helps shield your eyes and your neck and ears are also protected from painful sunburns.  Vision loss due to heat is quite common among elders. Unprotected eyes can be damaged by UV rays and can become irritated.

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