Q: Why do people say older adults are more vulnerable in the heat? What do I need to know to protect myself?
A: Studies show that it is difficult for older adults, even healthy ones, to notice the signs that they are too hot or dehydrated. It is interesting to really understand how our bodies change as we age and how this affects the way we manage being in hot weather.
I have memories of my grandmother always being cold. She always needed a blanket on her at family gatherings and it became a family joke that she had ice in her veins! The truth is that older adults have a thinner layer of fat under their skin, and it can make them feel the cold more easily. There are also health conditions that restrict the blood flow and therefore lower a person’s body temperature, such as diabetes and kidney disease, among others. Metabolism also slows as we age which can change how our bodies react to temperature.
In summer heat waves, older adults should pay special attention to support their health. Your body may not give you the signs that you are getting overheated as it once did. As we age, our bodies hold more heat, and glands do not release sweat as easily. In addition, the heart is often not circulating the blood as well which means less heat is being released from the skin. In other words, your body is not doing some things it may have done on its own when you were younger to naturally cool itself down in reaction to hot temperatures.
While it is never fun to think about how our bodies change as we age, by understanding these changes we can react and do things that will help us manage the heat in other ways.
Be proactive and monitor the weather reports. When you see the temperatures will be high, make your plans to stay inside in air-conditioned places during the hottest times of day. Drink more water than usual and monitor your symptoms. If your home is not air conditioned, keep the blinds closed, use fans, and take cool or cold showers to lower your body temperature.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
Cities will set up cooling centers during heat waves so stay informed on where you can go. This also includes indoor malls and libraries.
Be mindful of anyone you care for who has dementia. They are even more vulnerable because they may not be able to understand when they feel thirsty or hot or may be unable to express it to you.
If you or someone you know feels dizzy, gets cramps, has increased swelling or excessive sweating, feels nauseous or has an elevated temperature, seek medical assistance immediately. Older adults are more at risk from serious illness or death from heat related illnesses than other populations.
The facts support that older adults are more vulnerable in the heat. However, that does not mean you personally need to be more vulnerable. Use this knowledge to stay ahead of the heat and protect yourself. We all must make changes as we age in various ways, and this is one of them. Be aware and put your health and safety first.
