Extreme heat is more than just an annoyance. It can really hurt your senior parent that is living at home. Very warm temperatures and high humidity can raise the risk that your mom or dad will become dehydrated, have a heat-related illness, or suffer a heart attack or a stroke. Extreme heat can also trigger breathing problems and make symptoms worse for seniors who have existing health conditions. That’s why it’s important that your mom or dad has home care for the summer if you can’t be with them.

A home care provider can help your senior parent stay hydrated, make sure they are eating enough, and help them stay cool. Just a few of the ways that extreme heat can hurt seniors living at home include:

Heat Exhaustion

Seniors are more prone to heat exhaustion, which includes symptoms such as heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and fainting. It occurs when the body loses too much water and salt through sweating. Seniors at home who aren’t using air conditioning and who aren’t drinking enough water can suffer from heat exhaustion.

Heat Stroke

This is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition where the body’s temperature regulation fails, leading to dangerously high body temperatures. Symptoms include confusion, rapid heartbeat, and unconsciousness. Immediate medical attention is required. Seniors who live in places where the temperature and humidity soar in the summer have a high risk for heat stroke.

Dehydration

Seniors may become dehydrated more quickly than younger adults due to a diminished sense of thirst, reduced kidney function, and medications that can increase fluid loss. That’s why home care is a good idea for seniors who are living alone. A home care provider will remind your senior mom or dad throughout the day to drink cool water.

Exacerbation of Chronic Conditions

Heat can worsen chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes. For instance, the cardiovascular system has to work harder to keep the body cool, which can strain the heart. Seniors have a difficult time regulating their body temperature, and trying to do stay cool in intense heat can trigger severe symptoms of other conditions.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Excessive sweating and inadequate fluid intake can lead to imbalances in electrolytes like sodium and potassium, causing muscle cramps, weakness, and other health issues. It’s a good idea to keep some sugar free sports drinks or electrolyte drinks in the house during hot summer weather.

Reduced Cognitive Function

High temperatures can impair cognitive function, leading to confusion, poor judgment, and difficulty concentrating. This can be particularly dangerous for seniors who live alone or are already experiencing cognitive decline. If your mom or dad has dementia, Parkinson’s, or any condition that can cause cognitive problems they should have home care.

Skin Problems

Heat can cause or exacerbate skin problems such as heat rashes, sunburn, and other dermatological conditions. Seniors often have more fragile skin, which is more susceptible to damage from prolonged heat exposure. A home care provider can help your mom or dad cool their skin with cool towels, ice, and moisturizing creams.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Clarksville, MD, please contact the caring staff at Care At Home today. 301-970-9706

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Ann Smith RN

Owner at Care at Home

Ann Smith, RN, Realtor® Your local Home care and Home transition expert Ann is a Registered Nurse and a Realtor with a passion and dedication to serving her community. She has over twenty years of nursing experience in pediatric, geriatric, home health care, and care management. She founded Care at Home, a home care company, to provide seniors with services that promote independence and safe aging in place. Ann is dedicated to helping seniors achieve stress-free retirement living by providing comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's mother instilled in her the value of hard work, dedication, and service to others at a young age, which is now a driving force in her home care agency. Her caring and compassionate work with seniors began when she was just 17 years old. She was offered a job as a caregiver. Just as quickly, she instinctively knew that this would be her life's work. She soon became a nurse and has since helped many older adults transition seamlessly into a new phase of life. While helping seniors and individuals with their home care needs, it became apparent that part of the transition process often involved selling their current home for more suitable living arrangements. That's when Ann decided to add real estate services to alleviate stress and enhance her client's experience. It's also how she became known as the Home Transition Agent. Today, Ann helps her mature clients achieve stress-free retirement living by providing in-home care and comprehensive services from health to home. Ann's love for children and dedication to helping families caring for children with chronic health conditions inspired Pediatric Care at Home, a division of Care at Home that provides pediatric nursing care. Ann and her team are dedicated to providing compassionate care to all, from infants to older adults. When Ann isn't busy helping her patients and clients, she volunteers her time at women's shelters and fostering dogs. She and her veteran husband enjoy a simple life in the countryside, where farm animals and country life surround them. Ann also enjoys reading, photography, gardening, and nature walk with their dogs.

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