Staying Cool in the Heat of the Moment!
Dear Caregivers,
I wrote a while back about the heat dome that was affecting the mid-Atlantic, but not Florida, and said that I wasn’t going to gloat because inevitably the heat would come here, too.
Well, it’s arrived.
Temperatures in our state are reaching a combination of heat and humidity that will make it feel as though it is between 105 and 112 degrees. It’s also likely that we’ll surpass the record of 101 degrees in Orlando, which was set nearly a century ago in 1936.
In the interest of giving you better health, here’s my previous advice on how to cope with the hothouse climate:
MAKE SURE YOUR HOUSE CAN GET COOL: Check that your air conditioning is working, change your filters, if needed, make sure your windows can close, make sure you can close your curtains or blinds to block the sun, and create a specific “cool room” that has the best location and cooling technology where you and your loved one can shelter if needed. Find out where your nearest local “cooling center” might be, such as a library, senior center, or shopping mall; your NAN Navigator can help you with that.
DRESS FOR COOLING SUCCESS: Make sure you and your loved one have access to your most lightweight clothes and shoes, and make sure you have a wide-brimmed, lightweight hat for both of you. Sunglasses and personal fans are also helpful.
SET A COOLING ROUTINE: Shift as many activities, such as a daily walk, to the earliest part of the day, and consider setting your wakeup times to earlier in the morning, so that you are able to run errands and get some time out of the house as early as you can. Move other outdoor activities to late afternoon or early evening, when it is cooler.
LEARN ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS OF HEAT HEALTH ISSUES: Signs of heat issues in you or your loved one include weakness, clammy skin, nausea, confusion, and a rapid pulse. Move immediately to your “cool room,” drink plenty of water, and call for medical help if necessary.
If there is any consolation to the high heat, it means you have a good excuse to put off running errands out of your house, and spend some quality time at home with your loved one.
Here are some ideas of how you might pass the time indoors, keeping cool and making the most of the heat of the moment:
Making Brain Games Your New Hobby!
To find a way to keep your loved one’s brain active and healthy, start by thinking about the types of activities or hobbies your loved one likes best. No matter what activity it is, pursuing hobbies regularly will keep their mind and body active, and in some cases allow them to engage more deeply in social activities. Here's a guide.
Activities for a Good Day:
Try these activities to keep your loved one occupied and engaged during the day.
Joyful Noise: Music to Soothe the Soul:
Music is one of the most ancient forms of human communication and entertainment, and also has clinical benefits. Here’s how to do music therapy with your loved one at home.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“The good Lord made us all out of iron. Then he turns up the heat to forge some of us into steel.”
— Marie Osmond
