How Can Senior Care Services from Visiting Angels Provide Safety During Extreme Heat in California’s Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties?
Are you worried about your senior loved one’s health and safety during the summer? Here’s how our senior care services help older adults in Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, Marina and surrounding California communities stay cool and comfortable in the heat.
As temperatures soar during the dog days of summer in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, people of all ages look for ways to cool off. Family caregivers feel the pressure to keep seniors safe. With some extra planning and a bit of teamwork, as well as in-home senior care services from Visiting Angels Central Coast, your loved one will stay comfortable during the summer heat.
What Are Common Signs of Heat-Related Illnesses in Seniors?
Due to normal aging-related changes, older adults may not recognize when they are overheated or adapt well to changing temperatures. Certain health conditions, such as cardiovascular issues and obesity, can make seniors more susceptible to heat. Additionally, side effects from medications and consuming alcoholic beverages can also increase the likelihood of health-related issues in high temperatures.
Older adults with dementia or speech challenges may have difficulty communicating they feel overheated. That’s why it’s important for family caregivers to keep an eye out and make their senior loved one is doing OK during the heat.
Watch for symptoms of excessive heat exposure, including:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Rapid pulse
- Muscle cramps
- Cold, clammy skin
- Coordination problems
- Swelling of ankles or feet
Watch Out for Heat Stroke!
A more extreme consequence of prolonged heat exposure is heat stroke. If your loved one is exposed to high temperatures for long periods of time, it can negatively impact their body’s ability to control their internal temperature. Heat stroke mainly affects adults over the age of 50 and without immediate and proper treatment, it can cause damage to the brain and other internal organs.
Common symptoms of heat stroke include:
- Fainting
- Dry, flushed skin
- Rapid or weak pulse
- Body temperature over 104°F
- Confusion, agitation or mood swings
Visiting Angels Central Coast Keeps Seniors Safe in Extreme Heat
Even if you’re concerned about your loved one’s health and safety during summer, you may not always be available to check in on them. Consider counting on Visiting Angels Central Coast to keep your loved one safe. Our senior care services can be personalized to provide the support your loved one needs while working with their everyday schedule.
Here are some strategies our caregivers use to keep seniors safe during a heat wave:
- Checking in. Our caregivers can make routine visits to check in on your loved one to give you peace of mind.
- Encourage seniors to stay indoors. We can keep your senior loved one indoors during the hottest part of the day, typically between 12 noon and 4 pm, and make the day more enjoyable for them by engaging in conversation and participating in their favorite indoor activities like watching TV or working on a puzzle. Additionally, our caregivers can assist with planning safe outdoor activities, appointments and errands when temperatures are lower.
- Keep the home cool. Our home care providers can ensure air conditioning and fans are working correctly and help your loved one understand how to operate them. We will keep shades and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day and limit the use of appliances, such as ovens, that may throw off excess heat.
- Spend time in cool locations. Your older loved one may not have air conditioning or fans at home. Our caregivers can ensure they spend time in a cool place like the mall, library, church, senior center or a family member’s house. If your loved one can no longer drive on their own, our senior care services include transportation assistance within the local community.
- Keep seniors hydrated. We can ensure your loved one drinks plenty of water and limits caffeine and alcohol. If your loved one has mobility issues that make it difficult to get to the kitchen, our caregivers can get them a nice, refreshing drink as often as needed.
- Dress seniors in appropriate clothing. Older adults sometimes wear sweaters and long pants during hot weather because of problems with body temperature regulation or out of habit. This can contribute to heat-related illness. In addition to helping your loved one get dressed for the day, our caregivers can encourage them to pick clothing items that can help them stay cool.
- Use sun protection. Older adults may be more sensitive to sun exposure. Seniors should wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. In addition to assisting with applying sunscreen and helping your loved one find their sunglasses or a hat that can protect them from the sun, our caregivers can monitor them for signs of heat-related illness.
To learn how senior care services from Visiting Angels Central Coast can help your loved one stay safe during the summer heat, call us at 831-430-0616.