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| Elder Care Issues--Summer and Elder Safety |
How hot is it outside right now? The sun beat down on us today, with an actual temperature of 98, and a heat index of 109. That is pretty hot.
In fact, when the temps soar that high, it is hard for air conditioners to keep up. That means that cars and homes can still be stuffy and uncomfortably warm even with the A/C turned down past the recommended energy-saving temperature.
So what does that mean for people with no A/C?
Sure, humans survived for centuries without artificial cooling systems. That doesn't mean that it was safe, or that people didn't die back in the day from heat exhaustion and dehydration. Although the young and healthy, and those accustomed to working outdoors in all sorts of weather conditions, can rough through the hottest days of the year, the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of summer.
Last week, my sister-in-law, who is the library director, mentioned that she was taking donations of puzzles and other games. Why? Because the library has been declared a Cool Zone.
What is a Cool Zone?
Cool Zones are exactly what they sound like. They are public places where anyone can come inside to escape from the heat.
Even though most stores and businesses are running their air conditioners, many of these places don't encourage people to loiter indoors if they aren't shopping. The homeless, and those who live in homes without cool air need a place where they can basically "hang out" during the hottest times of the day.
The library is a great place, because it offers plenty of entertainment. Other local places include the senior center and one old timey drugstore that still has a soda fountain.
As she was talking, my sister-in-law mentioned that one elderly gentleman with dementia comes is brought to the library every day. While there, he works jigsaw puzzles--sometimes assembling 1000 piece puzzles in just a few hours, and then partially taking them apart to leave for the next person to work.
How awesome is that? Not only is this man kept indoors in the cool air, he has something to occupy his time. He has the opportunity to socialize, and he is minimally supervised without having to feel as though he is being babysat.
Every communities needs a Cool Zone. Every community could probably use more than one.
Why Are These Cool Zones So Important?
Last year, dozens of elderly persons were brought to the local hospital with heat -related illnesses. Many were dehydrated. Some had suffered heat strokes.
There are several reasons why the elderly suffer from the summer weather, including:
- Poverty. Many are too impoverished to afford proper cooling systems. Or they may be saving pennies and not running the air conditioners or fans.
- Water quality. Here, most drinking water is drawn from local lakes. When they turn over in summer, the water can become fetid and discolored, making it unappealing to drink. A person may not be able to afford enough bottled water or filtering systems, and may ration their drinks.
- Medication. Some medications react with heat or sunlight. Or, when taken in hot weather, may cause queasiness that makes eating and drinking unappealing.
- Dementia. People with dementia often forget to drink. They may not realize they are too hot.
Those are just a few reasons why the elderly should be protected in during hot weather. Cool Zones however, are for everyone who needs them, a when temperatures reach numbers such as 115 degrees (not uncommon here), anyone can need a break.
Only three weeks ago, their was a motorcycle charity run organized to raise money for an injured child. Although there were frequent stops and cool refreshments, many riders came close to heat exhaustion before the ride was completed. (kudos to the selfless men and women who braved the heat to help a needy family meet their goal though!)
Thankfully, local restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses always open their doors and welcome riders even when they aren't buying anything. These temporary Cool Zones often hang out banners, signs or flags letting people know they are prepared to help anyone who is at a risk for being overheated.
Does Your Community Have A Cool Zone?
If you have an elderly loved one, or know of any elderly persons that might not have adequate ways to stay cool, check your community for cool zones. These are not just important for people who stay at home, but also for any seniors who may be driving. It should be a matter of safety to know where these areas are located while running errands.
You can help too. Ask around and see if libraries, community or senior centers, churches, etc. need donations of old puzzles, games, books, magazines, etc. As about donating water or ice, too.
In the meantime, make sure your elderly loved one has access to either an air conditioning system or plenty of fans. Make sure they have clean water and ice. If they can drink it, it is also smart to keep a sport's drink or bottle of Pedialyte on hand in case of dehydration.
Caution elders about wearing sunscreen (yes, it is important at any age!), staying in the shade when out doors, and not working in yards or gardens during heat advisories. Check their medication for any information about heat or sunlight.
If you take your loved ones out for day trips, make sure they get plenty of rest and hydration during outdoor activities.
And most importantly, learn the signs of dehydration (which can manifest differently in the elderly) and heat exhaustion.
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