Summer safety for seniors
While we are lucky enough to enjoy warmer temperatures than most of Australia year-round, summer can get pretty hot here in Queensland.
For older individuals are often more vulnerable to hot temperatures, even those who are used to a warmer climate, which means summer safety is especially important in aged care. Warm weather and particularly extreme heat can put the health of individuals at risk, and this risk is often increased for the elderly. For some, heat can simply have them feeling hot and uncomfortable, but for others high temperatures, especially above 30 degrees Celsius, can result in serious illness and even death.
In fact, according to the Australian Medical Association, heat stress causes the death of over 500 people in Australia each year. With temperatures increasing across the country each year, this number could rise. While we all love to enjoy the sunshine, especially during the much-loved Australian summer, taking precautions and staying alert in summer can keep everyone safe and happy.
The increased risk for elderly in summer
While anyone can suffer from heat related illness when the temperatures rise, seniors are at increased risk. Why? As the body ages, our built-in bodily functions become less efficient at doing their jobs. This includes regulating body temperature. One of the main ways the body cools itself down is through sweating, however seniors tend to sweat less.
The heat of summer can also be more serious for seniors due to health and lifestyle factors, such as:
- Chronic illness (heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia, kidney disease for example)
- Prescription medications
- Dehydration
- Diet
- Overdressing for the weather
- Lack of access to cool environments
Knowing the signs and risks for heat-related illness in seniors
Thankfully with the support of aged care professionals, the risk of heat-related illness can be minimised for ageing individuals.
It’s vital that aged care workers are aware of the signs and symptoms of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration. Knowing the warning signs and monitoring elderly residents means intervention can take place to maintain safety and wellbeing.
There are many heat-related conditions that a person may be affected by in summer or in any hot climate. These include:
- Dehydration
- Heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke
- Worsening of existing conditions
- In serious instances, death
There are many symptoms to stay aware of for optimal summer safety for seniors. The most common symptoms of a person experiencing heat stress are:
- Dizziness or confusion
- Tiredness
- Irritability
- Muscle cramps and spasms
- Shallow, fast breathing
- Nausea
- Headache
- Rapid pulse
- Hot to touch
- Dry tongue
Knowing and monitoring these signs of an elderly person being affected by the heat can help to prevent serious illness and even death.
Top summer safety tips in aged care
When it comes to ensuring safety in the heat, especially for senior individuals, prevention is key. These summer safety tips will help aged care professionals to keep the elderly in their care feeling well and comfortable even when the temperatures rise.
Focus on hydration
An obvious one, but immensely important. Regular sips of water are a must to stay adequately hydrated. Ageing individuals are more vulnerable to dehydration. Sometimes they may forget to drink water, others may not notice the symptoms of dehydration such as dark urine or reduced output. Make sure you encourage regular sips and keep fresh water accessible at all times.
Keep the environment cool
Fans, air-conditioners, wet towels — keeping the body temperature at a safe level can go a long way to increase comfort and decrease risk of the body experience heat stress.
Indoor lifestyle activities
When it is especially hot, avoid heading outdoors. Finding a few indoor alternatives for much-loved lifestyle activities is useful to ensure wellbeing and routines are maintained while staying safe in summer. For example, group walks around the facility can replace walks outside — stick images of birds around the facility to make it a ‘bird-watching walk’! You could bring gardening indoors too — some soil, cuttings, recycled jars and water are all you need to start little indoor gardens that can thrive on the window sill.
Slow down
Hot weather sometimes means taking is slow and not exerting the body. Sometimes staying inside by the fan or air-conditioner is a must. Offering puzzles, reading, card games, movies or listening to the radio are perfect for a hot weather timetable.
Check on medications
It’s important to know if someone in your care has an increased likelihood to suffer from dehydration, increase body temperature or even sun sensitivity. Make notes of anyone who may be extra susceptible due to their medications so you can take precautions.
Wear the right clothes
When helping those in your care to dress for the heat, look to loose, light fabrics that breathe. Natural materials are better to regulate body temperature, such as cotton or linen. And don’t forget a hat and sunscreen for venturing outside to protect from the UV rays and prevent sunburn.
Keep seniors safe, hydrated and happy
With a few strategies and plenty of knowledge about the risks of summer’s hot weather for the elderly, aged care workers can keep ageing individuals safe, hydrated and happy even when the temperature rises.
Aged care work enhances the quality of life of seniors not only in summer but throughout the year. If you’re considering joining this fulfilling sector or upskilling in aged care, Royal College can help.
Royal College supports Queensland in growing a highly skilled and confident aged care workforce, so please feel free to get in touch to chat about your future in aged care.
Related posts
The value of aged care staff and the sector
At Royal College we work directly with the aged care teams who support our ...
Read More
Reflecting on 2021 to create positive habits for 2022
Resilience, grit, adaptiveness, kindness and compassion come to mind when w...
Read More
A flexible work options for parents and balance
A career that is meaningful and can also offer a healthy balance between wo...
Read More