Heat Wave SURVIVAL Tips (URGENT!)
At our age, we’ve pretty much seen it all…
But we’ve NEVER seen temperatures like THIS.
These are the HOTTEST days in history, as temperatures soar past 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The skyrocketing mercury makes it feel like we’re living inside an oven…
And not only is this extreme heat dangerous – it can quickly turn DEADLY.
Everyone’s health is on the line when temperatures climb… but us oldsters are particularly vulnerable.
That’s why I want to share some vital tips to help keep you and your loved ones SAFE.
Too Hot to Handle
It’s not just Americans who are affected by this historic heat wave…
Folks are sweltering all over the world.
Last summer, Europe’s relentless heat wave claimed MULTIPLE lives – and 90 percent were folks 65 and over.
Friend, that’s no coincidence – heat-related death in seniors is largely related to:
- Biological changes caused by aging
- Chronic illness, like heart disease and diabetes
- Prescription drug use
These three factors are common to older folks. And individually or in combination, they can alter how your body tolerates and responds to heat.
For starters, they can obstruct your body’s natural cooling processes – sweating and boosting blood flow to the skin.
If your body can’t release heat, it retains it. Your core temperature can rise higher and faster, spiking your risk of health problems and death.
Plus, older folks may not feel as thirsty, so they drink less. That can cause and a cascade of health problems, including cognitive loss and death.
And if your loved one suffers from cognitive decline, it can hamper their ability to perceive how dang hot it actually is… along with how they respond – both biologically, through sweating… and behaviorally, by getting out of the sun.
Four Ways to Stay Cool
The mercury may be climbing past the century mark this summer…
But it DOESN’T take 100 degree weather to put your life in danger.
Even temps in the 80s – which may NOT have affected you in the past – can cause deadly heat exhaustion if you’re over 65.
Of course, not everyone responds to heat the same way. If you’re healthy and in good shape, you’ll likely fare better than folks who aren’t.
But every senior needs to take precautions when temperatures rise. Here are four tips to help you stay safe:
- Limit outdoor activities to early mornings or evenings, when it’s cooler. Be sure to also rest frequently and listen to your body – if you start feeling tired or uncomfortable, get out of the heat as quickly as possible.
- Watch for signs of dehydration or heat exhaustion – dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, racing pulse, or feeling lethargic.
- Be sure to drink PLENTY of water. Remember, the more you sweat, the more water you lose – so you’ll want to drink even more water than normal. I like to keep a 16-ounce glass of water near me at all times to sip on regularly. It’s an easy way to keep me drinking regularly, all day long. And I usually go through three to four glasses in a day, without even thinking about it!
- To cool down, head indoors – ideally, somewhere air-conditioned. You can even wet your shirt or arms to bring down your body temperature. Other options include taking a cool shower or bath, wrapping a wet towel or washcloth around your neck, or even rubbing an ice cube over your skin.
Friend, this summer may be one for the record books. But ANY time the temperature climbs, you MUST take steps to keep cool – after all, it could be a matter of life and death.
One more thing…
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Source:
“Heat Affects Older People More. Here’s How to Stay Safe.” New York Times, July 20, 2023. (nytimes.com/2023/07/20/well/live/heat-illness-safety-older-people.html)