50+ Lifestyles

4 Questions to Ask: What You Need to Know About Summer Heat

By Kathy Horrell
CASI Director of Senior Services

The hot and humid Midwest Summer has arrived. For most people, these long steamy days are the best time of year, but for older adults the summer months can be extremely
dangerous. Medical studies show that people age 65 years or older are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature due to health conditions and medications. This is why it’s important to check in on older adults daily and ask the following questions.

• Are they drinking enough water?
• Do they have access to air conditioning?
• Do they know how to keep cool?
• Are they staying in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible?

Make sure that older adults are doing the following:

• Not relying on a fan as their primary cooling device during an extreme heat event.
• Drinking more water than usual and not waiting until they are thirsty to drink.
• Not using the stove or oven to cook—it will make the individual and their house hotter.

Encourage older adults to do the following if they are hot:

• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
• Check the local news for health and safety updates.
• Seek medical care immediately if you have, or someone you know has, symptoms of heat-related illness like muscle cramps, headaches, nausea or vomiting.

CASI is a designated cooling station for older adults who need heat relief. The facility is open Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm and offers a cool place to relax, socialize and get a nutritious meal. CASI can also provide free fans to older adults who are seeking relief from the heat.

For more information call CASI’s Senior Advocacy Department at 563-386-7477.