We’ve been loving the fantastic weather recently. But the heat isn’t easy for everyone and many elderly people find these conditions extremely challenging. Here are a few tips for how you can help your patients stay comfortable in the hot weather.
A sustained period of hot weather in the U.K. is usually a welcome break from a long winter and an underwhelming spring; parks and beaches fill and BBQs become the norm as everyone makes the most of the sun. But for your elderly patients, the hot weather can often be a lot less fun. In this post we’ll examine symptoms of distress caused by hot weather and how you can help your patients avoid it.
What are the problems hot weather can cause?
Along with infants, elderly people are especially at risk in a heatwave. This is because as we age, our body become less able to regulate its own temperature, meaning we are more likely to overheat. Elderly people’s skin also offers less protection from the sun, so burning becomes more likely.
Medications may also interfere with your patients’ ability to deal with hot weather. In particular, medications for Alzeihmers and sedatives can cause problems in hot weather. Make sure you are aware if a patient of yours is taking such medication.
Problems caused by the heat range from the uncomfortable, such as nausea, heat cramps and heat syncope - where the patient experiences dizziness and cool moist skin - to the severe, which include heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Heat stroke can be deadly for a person of any age, so in an elderly person it is particularly dangerous. Symptoms include a patient becoming confused or delirious, having flushed skin and a rapid heart rate and breathing rapidly. Immediate medical attention should be sought if it is suspected that a patient has heatstroke.
What can be done to prevent heat related conditions?
Many of the precautions that should be taken to protect older people from the heat are similar to what we’d do if we wanted to escape the sun for a while – the main point to remember is that our patients are likely to feel the heat more severely and earlier than we do, so we need to act faster and take greater percautions. If we know a day is going to be hot, the following actions can help your patients stay comfortable.
Make sure patients are seated away from any windows letting in direct sunlight. Close the curtains to prevent the sun gettign in the room throughout the day.
Ensure adequate ventilation by opening as many windows as you can.
Patients should be dressed in lighter clothing than normal – one or two thin layers should normally suffice.
Cool baths or showers during the day can help reduce the risk of heatstroke – include these in a daily care plan if possible.
Up patients’ level of fluid intake (water rather than tea and coffee which can dehydrate) and feed them light, cool meals rather then cooked food. For home care, avoid turning on ovens or hobs where possible.
And finally, monitor your patients more closely than usual in hot weather conditions to ensure you catch symptoms early.
