By Gabrielle Brackett, MS, MPH
The Inland Empire is scorching – temperatures are pushing 100 degrees. Does your senior parent live in the Corona, Riverside or Anaheim Hills areas? People ages 65 years or older are more prone to heat-related health problems. Extreme heat caused 7,415 heat-related deaths in the United States from 1999 to 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If your senior parent lives alone, ask yourself these questions to ensure that your elderly parent is equipped to handle the heat:
• Is your senior parent drinking enough water?
• Do they have access to air conditioning?
• Does your senior parent know how to keep cool?
• Do they show any signs of heat stress?
Older adults are more susceptible to heat stress because their bodies do not adjust as well as young people’s bodies to sudden changes in temperature, and they are more likely to take prescription medicines that affect the body’s ability to control its temperature or sweat, according to the CDC.
If you’re concerned about your senior parent’s health and wellness during this heat wave, take the steps to help them stay cool, hydrated and informed. The CDC offers a comprehensive list of tips to help you and your senior parent stay safe and hydrated this summer.
Stay Cool
Wear appropriate clothing: Lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Stay cool indoors: Stay in an air-conditioned home. If your senior parent’s home does not have air conditioning, have a friend or caregiver take them to the shopping mall or public library – even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your senior parent’s body stay cooler when they go back into the heat. If you’re unsure of what’s available in the Corona, Riverside or Anaheim Hills areas, call the Riverside County Health Department at 951-358-5000 to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your senior parent’s area.
Keep in mind: Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. If your senior parent struggles with balance issues, or does not feel safe showering or bathing, consider calling SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona/Riverside. Our caregivers can ensure that your senior parent is equipped to handle the heat, and bathe safely.
Schedule outdoor activities carefully: Limit your senior parent’s outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like during morning and evening hours.
Wear broad spectrum or UVA/UVB sunscreen: Sunburns can affect your parent’s ability to cool down and can cause dehydration. If your senior parent goes outdoors, ensure that they wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of fluids: Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you or your senior parent are, and do not wait until you are thirsty before you drink.
• Warning: If your senior parent’s doctor limits the amount they drink, or has them on water pills, ask their doctor how much they should drink while the weather is hot.
• Stay away from sugary or alcoholic beverages – these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
• Replace salts: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals that your parent loses in sweat.
• If your parent is on a low-salt diet, has diabetes, high blood pressure or other chronic conditions, talk with their doctor before encouraging them to drink a sports beverage or take salt tablets.
Stay Informed
Check for updates: Check the local news or the health department for extreme heat alerts and safety tips.
It is recommended that seniors at risk of heat-related illness be visited at least twice a day so that they can be monitored for signs of heat exhaustion or stroke. Are you able to check on your senior parent twice daily? If not, call SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona/Riverside. Our home health caregivers can ensure that your senior parent stays cool, hydrated and informed during these hot summer months. Our home health caregivers are trained to provide your senior loved one with top-notch care, and offer a wide variety of care services to ensure that your senior parent is comfortable, healthy and safe.
Our services include:
• Personal assistance care: Bathing, showering, using the restroom, getting in and out of bed, wheelchairs, etc.
• Errands and transportation: Driving to the doctor’s office or an appointment, picking up prescriptions, going grocery shopping, etc.
• Meal assistance: Complete and nutritious meal planning, preparing and cleanup.
• Light housekeeping and organizing: Assistance with laundry, ironing, changing linens, organizing, kitchen/bathroom cleaning and organizing, etc.
• Companionship: Encouraging friendly and supportive conversation, active thinking (structuring pastimes, hobbies and games), light exercise, etc.
Call SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona/Riverside today to pair your senior parent with a highly trained home health caregiver and ensure that they lead a healthy, safe independent life.
About SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona/ Riverside
SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona/ Riverside is the name you can trust in Corona, Norco, Riverside, Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar for personal home care. SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona/ Riverside is part of a national franchise of non-medical home care offices dedicated to providing exceptional and affordable service to anyone of any age. SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to those in need – including seniors, expectant moms, those suffering from sports injuries and debilitating illnesses, and more.
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SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona/Riverside offers no obligation home assessments. Contact us to learn how we can provide additional support to you and your loved ones.
