
Kathleen Allen, LCSW, C-ASWCM
Kathleen Allen has been working with older adults and their families for over 20 years.
Senior Care Management Services, LLC
Learn how to protect those with Alzheimer’s from the hot months of summer.
For those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, as well as for those over age 65 or with chronic illnesses, summer presents its own dangers and challenges. Those of us who care for individuals with these conditions need to know how to protect them from those “dog days” of the season. In the last few summer seasons, hot days seemed to be more frequent and extreme in nature. Putting protective measures in place will help those with Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia, or other chronic illnesses get through summer heat waves comfortably and safely.
In general, the heat, humidity, one’s general health, medications, hydration, and whether the environment is adequately cooled can all contribute to heat stress, also known as hyperthermia. The Centers for Disease Control cites three specific reasons persons over the age of 65 are more prone to heat stress than the general population:
Hyperthermia occurs when the body’s heat-regulating system fails to adequately keep a person cool. The forms of hyperthermia include heat syncope (fainting), heat cramps, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion. These heat stresses can happen to anyone, but older adults, and those with chronic illnesses, including dementia and Alzheimer’s, are especially at risk during hot weather. It is up to us, their caregivers, to put measures in place to protect them, and to monitor them during the worst of the hot weather.
Putting safety mechanisms in place should always be part of one’s plan of care for the hot weather months. When the heat and humidity hit, have the following protective measures in place for persons at risk for heat-related problems:
During a hot weather period, putting the above measures in place, along with increasing the level of monitoring you provide, can help protect at-risk individuals from the dangers of hot weather.
For additional information on identifying heat stress in older adults:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.html
Kathleen Allen has been working with older adults and their families for over 20 years.
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