How Seniors Can Cool Down Fast In The Heat

By Jessica Ott | June 20, 2024 | Comments Off on How Seniors Can Cool Down Fast In The Heat

It’s hotter than ever. And in many places, the dog days of summer are sticking around even longer. That can leave seniors vulnerable to heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses. Seniors already have a higher-than-average risk of heat stroke. That’s why they need to be very cautious about getting overheated. Seniors should stay indoors whenever they can in the heat. But if seniors need to go out in the heat like to go to a doctor’s appointment their in-home care provider or family caregiver should be watching for signs of heat stroke.

In-Home Care Abbottstown PA - How Seniors Can Cool Down Fast In The Heat

In-Home Care Abbottstown PA – How Seniors Can Cool Down Fast In The Heat

The most common symptoms of heat stroke in seniors include:

  • Delayed or reduced sense of thirst
  • Lack of perspiration
  • Change in behavior
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Fainting
  • Changes in mood
  • Red skin
  • Dizziness or confusion

When seniors are showing symptoms of heat-related illness or if they just feel too warm there are some things they can do to cool down fast like:

Get Some Fans Going

Turning on fans won’t cool down the air. But it can help bring down a senior’s body temperature. Fans will help air circulate and make sweat evaporate off the skin. That can help seniors cool off quickly. Seniors should loosen their clothing and stand in front of a fan if they feel like they are getting too hot.

Ice Pulse Points

Another thing seniors can do to bring down their body temperature quickly is apply ice packs to their inner wrists, behind their knees, and the back of their neck. Frozen vegetables can be used as cold packs in an emergency. A cold washcloth folded up with some ice in it can work well too. Seniors should leave the ice packs on for five minutes at a time to cool off.

Sit In A Car With The Air On

If seniors are outside when they start to feel overheated and there is no immediate shade available it’s smart to sit in a car with the air conditioning on. The car’s air conditioner can bring down a senior’s body temperature and make them comfortable until emergency help arrives.

Sit In A Cool Bath

A lukewarm or cool bath is another great way seniors can cool off fast. The bath needs to be room temperature or slightly chilly. A hot bath won’t do any good. And if the bath is too cold it could be too much of a shock for a senior’s body. That can cause other kinds of medical problems. But a cool or lukewarm bath in a dark bathroom is fine.

Cool Water

Sipping some cool water can help seniors lower their body temperature. It can also help seniors stay hydrated. But the water shouldn’t be too cold. Chilled but not extremely cold water is easier to drink than freezing cold water. Seniors should just sip the water to avoid drinking too much cold water too quickly. That can cause an entirely different set of health problems.

Sources: https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/how-to-cool-down-fast-in-summer-heat/
https://www.vox.com/even-better/23800261/tips-extreme-heat-heatwave
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.html

If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care Services in Abbottstown PA, please get in touch with us. Our friendly staff can answer all of your questions. In-Home Senior Care in Adams and York Counties, PA. Call Today: (717) 698-8258.

Jessica Ott
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