Hot Weather Advice for Older People

By Betty Gibb
Kansas Senior Press Service
A project of the KU Center on Aging

Q. I’m really worried about my next-door neighbor. She’s a little lady in her mid-80s, and I think her budget is pretty tight. She has one window air conditioner in her house. I don’t think she turns it on often—even when it’s hot. She has no children close. I don’t want to meddle in her business, but I’m afraid with summer coming she’ll get sick in the hot house. What should I watch for?

A. Probably the best thing is to make excuses to “pop-in” when the temperature is hot (upper 90s). Older people are at high risk for developing heat-related illness because the ability to respond to summer heat is less efficient with advancing years. Symptoms of heat stress include headache, nausea, muscle spasms and fatigue. Heat stroke (with a body temperature above 104) may have symptoms such as confusion, combativeness, faintness, staggering, strong rapid pulse, dry flushed skin, lack of sweating.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the temperature does not have to hit 100 for a person to be a risk for hyperthermia. Both an individual’s general health and/or lifestyle may increase the threat of a heat-related illness. Factors that may increase risk include:

Poor circulation, inefficient sweat glands, and changes in the skin caused by the normal aging process.
Heart, lung, and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.
High blood pressure or other conditions that require changes in diet. For example, people on salt-restricted diets may increase their risk. However, salt pills should not be used without first asking a consulting doctor.
The inability to perspire caused by medications including diuretics, sedatives and tranquilizers, and certain heart and blood pressure drugs.
Taking several drugs for various conditions. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medications and discuss possible problems with a physician.
Being substantially overweight or underweight.
Drinking alcoholic beverages.

So just check in on your neighbor. Share a pitcher of cold fruit juice. Make sure she’s dressed in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. See if she has a fan to keep the air circulating (or is using her air conditioner).

Also, invite her to your house to visit if her’s seems especially hot. Suggest a movie or a trip to the mall or library. Many communities have a variety of senior activities at local churches or senior centers that she might enjoy. Use your own judgment, but you are right to be concerned. According to the Center for Disease Control, heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979 – 1999.

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