• Home
  • About
  • Services & Pricing
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
Senior Health Copywriting Senior Health Copywriting
  • Home
  • About
  • Services & Pricing
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
Input your search keywords and press Enter.
Chronic Conditions Environmental Preventive Health

Who Is Helping You Watch Out For You? How To Avoid a Heat Related Illness or Death

by Andrea Breeding / July 25, 2019

Photo from blogspay.com

We just experienced a few days of extreme heat, primarily in the mid-west and the east.  As one would expect, there were a few deaths from the heat.  Heat causes more deaths each year than hurricanes, lightening, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined. The elderly is at the top of the list of people who are prone to heat illnesses and death.  And it is not just their health status that puts them at risk.  It is also their environment and social factors that impact their risk.

Those over the age of 65 are especially prone to dying from the heat.  Their systems cannot handle extremes or sudden changes in heat like a younger person can.  They often take medications that aggravate dehydration.  Diuretics are the best example (don’t stop your medications without checking with your health care provider).  Older people may not recognize that they are thirsty and the early warning signs of dehydration are often missed.  Some may avoid drinking extra water to keep from going to the bathroom or to stop urine leaks.  The elderly has many challenges when it comes to the heat.

Some of the answers to heat problems are rather obvious.  Drink more water. Take cool baths. Use damp, cool clothes on your skin. Doing these things are helpful but may not keep you out of trouble.

What about other factors that are even more difficult to control?  The best way to avoid heat related problems is to have air conditioning.  What if you have no air conditioning?  Fans help, but are not enough in extreme heat conditions.  What if you are isolated and there is no one to call if you get into trouble?  What if you are on fluid restriction because of heart or kidney disease?  Do you know what to do in that situation?  It is best to have a plan before you are forced to deal with a heat issue.

Here are some tips to follow in addition to the obvious ones to prevent heat related injury or death:

  • If no air conditioning – Find out if your community has an air-conditioned shelter for people with no air conditioning. The Red Cross can tell you this.  Those who have trouble paying utility bills can contact their utility company to see if they qualify for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.  This is a government program.  The main number is 1-866-674-6327.
  • If you are alone – Find someone, a neighbor or friend if no family, who can check on you regularly. That way, if you get into trouble you will be able to get help.
  • If you use social media – Facebook and Twitter are a great way to communicate with others and get help if you need it. Social media is a good way to monitor the situation and stay up-to-date on changes.
  • If you are on a fluid restriction by your heart provider or kidney provider, call and ask what to do to prevent dehydration.

Image from Centers for Disease Control.

 

To learn more about heat and older adults:  https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.html

For information on how to apply for air conditioning assistance:  https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/resource/division-of-energy-assistance-federal-staff or call 1-866-674-6327.        Image from Centers for Disease Control.

heat deaths in elderlyheat related death
  • ♥57 1217
  • Read More
  • Previous PostTicks Carry Many Diseases. Watch Out For Those Blood Thirsty Little Monsters.
  • Next PostWhat Can Happen If A Skin Cancer Is Ignored

You Might Also Like

Parkinson’s Disease – Is Your Caregiver Trained?
April 8, 2019
Losing Weight Is Not The Mystery It Seems To Be.
February 3, 2020
What Can Happen If A Skin Cancer Is Ignored
August 8, 2019

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest Posts

  • Preventive Health Prostate cancer November 3, 2020
    An Unexpected Delay
  • Communicable Diseases Coronavirus Environmental Preventive Health July 28, 2020
    The Answer to Our Virus Misery Is Testing… Lots of It, Whenever We Need it, With Fast Results
  • Communicable Diseases Finance May 5, 2020
    Economic Recovery. Who Calls the Shots? Not the High Paid CEO.
  • Communicable Diseases Environmental In-Home Care Preventive Health Senior Services March 12, 2020
    Coronavirus – 72 Days and Counting
  • Communicable Diseases Environmental February 25, 2020
    The Latest Fallout from the Coronavirus – Anyone for Cruisin’?

How to Reach Me

Hours Available: Monday - Friday

EST after 7AM until 5PM

Phone : 865-268-9813

Email : abreeding50@gmail.com