You probably hear warnings about heat stroke and heat exhaustion on the news during the summer months. These are very serious dangers that can overcome a person quickly if he or she has not taken the proper precautions to protect themselves. Elderly people face the biggest risk of being overcome by extreme heat, so they must take extra care to avoid being exposed when the temperature is very high. Here are some of the most effective ways for people to avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
1. Keep your body hydrated
This just comes down to common sense. However, there are still many people every year who engage in outdoor activities in hot weather without properly hydrating themselves. If you are going to be outdoors for any length of time in hot weather, be certain that you always have at least one bottle of water with you.
2. Dress appropriately
Elderly people often have poor blood circulation. This causes them to develop a habit of dressing warmly to prevent themselves from getting chilled. However, this can have a negative impact on their health if they happen to be dressed too warmly in hot weather. As you get older, it is important to be aware of when you need to wear clothing that allows your body to stay cool. A good idea would be to dress in layers, so you can easily remove items of clothing if you find yourself getting too hot.
3. Know when to do outdoor activities
One of the biggest mistakes that older people make is choosing to do outdoor activities in the middle of the day, when temperatures are at their highest. Many heat stroke and heat exhaustion cases are the result of older people mowing their lawns or gardening in the middle of the day. Ideally, you should only do these activities before 10am or after 3pm during the summer. Older people should also wear a wide brim hat while out in the sun to keep themselves cool.
4. Stay in an air conditioned area
On days when the heat is extremely oppressive, older people should limit their activities to rooms that have air conditioning. If you do not want to invest the money that it costs to install central air conditioning throughout your home, buy a simple window air conditioner. This will ensure that you can escape the heat in one room of your house.
