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Public release date: 11 August 2008
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Other conditions than temperature that can put elderly at risk in heat
According to the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA), aging affects the body's ability to respond to summer heat, By consequence older adults are particularly at risk for heat-related illnesses such as heat fatigue, heat stroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion.
Among factors that may rise the risk of heat-related illnesses we may include:
- Some common age-related changes to the skin such as inefficient sweat glands and poor blood circulation.
- Any illness that causes general weakness or fever, such as heart, lung and kidney diseases
- Any conditions that require dietary changes, such as salt-restricted diets or high blood pressure. Caution: pills shouldn't be used without first consulting a doctor.
- Temporary inability to sweat. This condition can be impaired by taking medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers and by certain heart and blood pressure drugs. Medical advice is required.
- Side effects of prescribed medications. Caution: it's important to continue taking prescribed medications and discuss possible problems with your doctor.
- Being in a major overweight or underweight condition.
- Alcoholic beverages consumption
- Being in a dehydrated condition
A list of lifestyle factors such as hot living quarters, lack of transportation, visiting overcrowded places, overdressing and bad understanding of weather conditions can also increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
As protection of older adults, particularly those at special risk, the NIA recommends to stay indoors on hot and humid days, especially when there is an air pollution alert in effect. Those living without fans or air conditioners should go to air-conditioned places such as movie theaters, libraries, shopping malls and cooling centers operated by social service agencies and senior citizen centers or/and get family or friends help to move temporary to air-conditioned locations.
For elderly people suffering from a heat-related illness, the NIA recommends the followings:
- Get the person out of the sun into a cool place, preferable into an air-conditioned location, and let them lie down and rest.
- Offer fluids such as water, fruit and vegetable juice. Don't offer alcohol or caffeinated beverages.
- Advice the person to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water to hydrate the skin.
- Put a cold, wet cloth to the persons wrists and/or neck, places where arterial blood are very close to the skin surface and can be rapidly cooled.
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More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about
heat illness and the elderly
(SOURCE: U.S. National Institute on Aging, news release, July 31, 2008)
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