Loading article content...
Divya's father, a retired army officer, has always been an active fitness enthusiast. Last summer, one day after his usual morning walk, he returned home and sat down for his tea. Divya saw a blank expression on his face. Sweating profusely, he appeared on the brink of losing consciousness. In a state of panic, Divya sprang into action. She turned the fan on high, loosened his kurta buttons, and sprayed his face with water. Fortunately, her quick response revived him, but he still looked drained and fatigued.
A subsequent medical check-up confirmed that while Col. Kumar was overall healthy, he had suffered a heat stroke, a condition that, though potentially dangerous for anyone, can be particularly severe for seniors.
As temperatures rise, it’s vital for senior citizens, their family members, and caregivers to be vigilant about heat-related health risks. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older people are more prone to heat-related diseases and injuries. Heat regulation in the body of an adult can become complicated with age. An adult body is not susceptible to sweating as much as a younger body could. Sweat is a significant temperature regulator system of our body.
What Temperature is Too Hot for the Elderly?
Senior citizens are likely to suffer from heat strokes in the summer. Heat stroke is a severe condition in which the body can no longer control its temperature. When the body temperature suddenly rises, the sweat-regulating mechanism fails, and the body becomes unable to cool down.
Generally, any temperature above 32°C (90°F) can be considered a problem for the elderly if accompanied by high humidity. A body temperature above 40°C (104°F) or higher can lead to medical emergencies without caution. But the Indian climate in summer is way hotter than just 40°C. Preventive measures like staying indoors, keeping hydrated, and wearing light cotton clothes can be very helpful in keeping the scorching heat at bay.
How Humidity Affects the Elderly?
The dangers of humidity are quite a less discussed topic. The cooling process of the body is hampered by humidity. The humidity keeps your skin moist, making it feel hotter. This affects the pumping of the heart, which is risky for people with high blood pressure. Even elders with asthma are affected by it. The airways in the nostrils narrow down due to humid weather. You may experience symptoms such as - coughing, wheezing, breathing problems, and tightness in the chest.
If a senior citizen in your family is experiencing any of these problems, you can help him/her cool down. Move them to a cooler place, loosen their clothes, and keep fanning them. You can even mist them with cold water or immerse them in a cold bath.
How Does the Hot Weather Affect the Elderly?
Summers are tougher for older people, especially the ones who are suffering from medical problems that impede their tolerance level to heat. This puts them at high risk, as an elderly person's skin does not help in producing sweat as well as cooling down the body as a younger person's skin does. Due to excessive heat, our hearts are pushed to pump harder, which exacerbates heart-related issues in older citizens. This leads to dysregulation in the heart, blood sugar levels, and kidney diseases.
Heat-Related Illness for Senior Citizens
Overexposure to heat can cause the following health problems for senior citizens:
1. Heat Cramps
Muscle spasms around the legs and arms. Keep yourself hydrated with water and electrolytes, and you will be good to go.
2. Heat Rash
Heat rashes occur due to heavy sweating. This causes skin irritation in the form of redness, blisters, or painful sensations throughout the body. Try to keep yourself cool and powder the sweaty portions of your body, and you will stay cool.
3. Heat Exhaustion
When your body cannot control a high temperature, excessive sweating can result in heat exhaustion. Feeling dizzy, weak, nauseated, or parched can be signs of heat fatigue. Taking enough rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and staying in a cool place can make you feel better.
4. Heat Stroke
If the body temperature rises above 40°C, medical attention may be needed. An elderly’s heat tolerance is around 32°C. Symptoms of heat stroke in the elderly might include a rapid pulse, extreme sweating, or confusion caused by extreme heat exposure. But everything is curable as long as action is taken at the right time. Shifting to a cooler place, cool showers, or even fans can control the situation.
5. Sun Exposure
There are different types of Ultraviolet rays (UV): ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). Long exposure to these rays can cause sunburn, which can cause severe reactions on the skin. Wearing light clothes and sunscreen (broad spectrum PA +++ rating with at least 30 SPF) can prevent you from various severe and painful skin symptoms.
>> Also Read: 5 Warning Signs of Malnutrition in Elderly: A Wake-up Call for All
Summer Safety Tips for Senior Citizens
Safety tips during scathing heat can keep your beloved elderly parents or grandparents happy, cool, and safe. Follow these easy, affordable, yet perfect precautions during the summer:
1. Stay Hydrated
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day. Avoid caffeinated drinks or alcoholic beverages. Beat the heat with other good alternatives like lemonade, iced tea, or buttermilk.
2. Stay Indoors During the Day
Senior citizens should stay indoors, especially during the peak hours. Summers in India are getting hotter each passing year, so it is important to avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
3. Dress Appropriately
Every person should wear light, comfortable, loose-fitting, breathable fabrics in extreme heat. Light colours reflect the harsh sun rays, and you feel better. This is the most neglected aspect when it comes to senior people. Therefore, make sure you wear breathable and comfortable fabrics.
4. Sensitivity to Sun
Sun sensitivity increases with age. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and more vulnerable to the sun's harmful UV rays. Sometimes, certain prescriptions can also cause an increase in sun sensitivity. Wear sunscreen and protect your eyes with glasses.
5. Keep Your House Cool
Try to maintain a temperature of around 27°C to 30°C degrees in the summer. Use blinds for windows to keep your room away from direct sunlight. If you are outside, find a cool spot or shade to avoid exhaustion and keep yourself hydrated.
6. Light and Balanced Meals
The body's comfort level is largely affected by the kind of meals we take. Choose a light and easy-to-digest meal with plenty of seasonal vegetables and fruits available. Heavy meals, like fried food, can adversely raise your body temperature.
7. Stay in Touch
Always keep a list of the phone numbers of family, friends, and caregivers nearby in case of an emergency.
8. Weather Check
If the temperature is rising, keep the weather in check. Visit https://mausam.imd.gov.in/ and plan your safety. You can also log in to various weather apps on Android or Apple. To determine the actual temperature, check the heat index, which takes into account both air and humidity.
Wrapping Up!
With the continuous scorching summer months, we sometimes forget about the impact it can have, especially on the health of senior family members. Most discomfort affects elders emotionally and physically. But the best part is that we can keep things under control by taking the right precautions . ‘Prevention is better than cure’, and being proactive can make all the difference in keeping our seniors safe and comfortable during the hot months. Furthermore, having senior citizen health insurance will make it easier to deal with rising medical expenses and treatments. We at Care Health Insurance offer health insurance policy that meets all the medical needs of elderly people, providing a sense of security and peace.
Disclaimers: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.
