Summer is officially here... and the heat waves begin. Did you know that more people die from heat waves each year than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined?? (CDC)  As a caregiver or friend, how can you help keep your loved ones safe?

Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the effects of heat stress because the elderly do not adjust as well as younger persons to sudden changes in temperature.  Also, an older adult’s chronic illness may affect how his/her body responds to heat and many older adults take medications that impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature or medications that inhibit perspiration.  

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat, and it is unable to cool down. Body temperatures rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Warning signs for heat stroke vary, but may include the following:

    - An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
    - Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
    - Rapid, strong pulse
    - Throbbing headache
    - Dizziness
    - Nausea

According to the CDC, you can help protect elderly relatives and neighbors who are at risk by:

    - Visit him/her at least twice a day and watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke
    - Take him/her to air-conditioned locations if they have transportation problems
    - Assist them in obtaining air-conditioning
    - Make sure older adults have access to an electric fan whenever possible.

Heat wave deaths can be prevented. For more information, visit these links:

http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/emergency/naturaldisasters/heat/index.html 

http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/factsheets/index.htm#itdhpfehe