Hot Times Are Coming!
Dear Caregivers,
I was taught at a young age by my parents not to gloat, so I’ll just settle for irony: I find it ironic that many of my friends and family are currently sweltering under a gigantic “heat dome” covering most of the eastern U.S. and pushing temperatures to above 100 degrees, while we here in Florida — the “heat capital of our nation” — are basking in cooler temperatures. “Come visit us down here in Florida and cool off,” is a phrase I thought I’d never utter to family members living up north during the summertime.
Still, my parents were right: We Floridians need to practice humility in these circumstances because we know that our time in the sun — literally — will come, and we’ll be facing the same concerns about rising temperatures, heat stroke, and exhaustion. So why not take the time now to prepare for the hot future that will inevitably come our way this summer?
Several things you can do to get ready for the heat include:
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.
There are many wonderful aspects to our home state, but extreme heat is not on my list. Still, these conditions come with the territory, as the saying goes, and being prepared goes a long way to getting through this summer ordeal.
Here are some more resources on managing the swelter of summer:
Staying Safe in the Sunshine:
When you live in a place as beautiful as Florida, being outdoors is appealing. It is the Sunshine state after all! But as usual, too much of a good thing can be bad for us. And the sun is no exception. The risk of developing skin cancer is directly related to sun exposure over the years. Here’s how to protect yourself and your loved one.
Beating the Heat:
As summer temperatures climb into the 90s, older people are in danger of conditions caused by extreme heat, such as dehydration and hyperthermia, which can lead to heat exhaustion and its most serious form, heat stroke. Here's how to cope.
The Importance of Water:
Lack of water, called dehydration, can be quite dangerous and can lead to decrease blood volume, which lowers the amount of blood sent to the major organs of the body, especially the kidneys. Therefore it is especially important for an older adult to keep up his or her fluid intake. Here’s how to do it.
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
“It ain't the heat, it's the humility.”
— Yogi Berra
