A heat wave’s dangerous impact on seniors

By CHERYL ORY
Guest Columnist

Now that the temperature is finally feeling like a true Indiana summer, I encourage us all to check on the seniors in our families and neighborhoods. Many seniors are unable to protect themselves from excessive heat, physiologically or socially, and a helping hand could even save a life.

The danger is real. A Harvard University study published earlier this year found that for older people, heat waves led to about nine extra deaths per 100,000 people each year, adding up to more than 17,000 deaths from 2000 to 2018.

Why is this? Heat exhaustion poses significant risks for elderly individuals due to their decreased ability to regulate body temperature and the presence of chronic health conditions. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body loses excessive amounts of water and salt, often due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures or strenuous activity in hot weather.

Blood circulation and sweat glands change as we age, making them less efficient at cooling our bodies. Obesity, being overweight or underweight, significant changes in body weight, and cardiovascular, lung, or kidney disease can add to the risk. Medications can also interfere with the body’s temperature regulation and fluid balance. And seniors living without air conditioning or fans will be more susceptible to heat injury.

Seniors who live by themselves are particularly vulnerable, which is why a friendly knock on the door to ask how they’re doing can be so helpful. Walk into the home with well-intentioned curiosity. Come for the visit but be an active observer while you’re there.

From my career spent caring for seniors, I’ve learned to spot several telling signs. You may be surprised at what you can learn from looking into someone’s refrigerator, for example. If they drink bottled water, monitor how many bottles are inside to see if they’re drinking enough. If the food inside is going uneaten or spoiling, it may be a sign that the heat is reducing their appetite. Ensure they have access to cooling fresh foods available with high water content, like juicy melons and other fruits and vegetables.

Check the temperature of the home. Is it warm? Is the air conditioning working? Are fans on? Look at the thermostat and ask yourself how the home feels.

Does it appear they’re living life within a five-foot radius of their favorite chair? Social isolation can bring its own problems during severe weather. Warning signs include piled up laundry, excessive sleep, and neglected rooms in the home. These are observations worth asking about.

Checking in can be especially difficult for adult children who don’t see their parents as often as they once did. So call on the community, like a neighbor or church members, to add watchful eyes.

And if the living conditions are no longer appropriate, a change in the living situation may be worth considering. Many senior living communities offer attractive amenities, and importantly, these communities support social interaction to combat the isolation of living alone in later years.

The seniors living amongst us have created the wonderful world we all enjoy today. As danger grows from prolonged exposure to this heat wave, we owe it to them to check in and see if they need our help.

Cheryl Ory, RN, ASN, CDP, is Vice President of Clinical Services for Traditions Management, Inc. a Carmel-based business that manages over 2,500 units of senior living throughout the Midwest and Florida. Cheryl brings over 25 years of expertise in assisted living clinical operations management and consulting.