Heat Related Illness In The Elderly: Warning Signs To Watch Out For

Heat related illness is an umbrella term that encompasses any condition that is exacerbated by prolonged exposure to heat. Heat related illness is usually diagnosed as either heat stroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion and can become life-threatening in a matter of hours if not treated immediately. Regardless of race, age, or gender, anyone physically active during the hot summer months is at risk of developing one of these conditions if precautions are not taken to cool the body down and replace lost fluids or salts.

For seniors, however, the risk of developing a heat related illness is even greater than for other age groups. Seniors are particularly susceptible to heat related illness because of changes in their bodies that occur with aging and the fact that they are less likely to be physically active and therefore have lower sweat rates than younger people.

As someone who looks after the well-being of your elderly loved one, it’s important to be aware of the common signs and symptoms of heat related illness in seniors and learn how to prevent these problems from occurring. Also, it is ideal to have ideas on how to deal with heat related illness in seniors should it occur.

Potential Causes of Heat Related Illness

A variety of factors can increase a senior’s risk for heat-related illness. These factors include:

1. Lower Sweat Rate

Seniors tend to have a lower sweat rate than younger people, which can be a major factor in developing a heat-related illness. A person’s sweat rate is a direct reflection of how much heat their body is trying to remove from its surface area and depends on the efficiency of their sweat glands, as well as their number and size.

2. Dehydration

Senior people are more prone to dehydration, which can be another cause of developing heat related illnesses. Dehydration occurs when a person loses or fails to take in enough water and salt to meet their body’s daily fluid needs. The primary symptom of dehydration is thirst, which should be easily relieved by drinking water or sports beverages. If the thirst continues, however, you may need medical attention immediately.

3. Overdressing

Older adults are often more prone to wearing too many clothes for the weather, which can lead to increased sweating, higher body temperatures, and an increased risk of developing a heat related illness.

4. Poor Circulation

Blood flow decreases with aging. This can decrease blood flow to the skin and through the sweat glands, resulting in a lower sweat rate.

5. Prescription Medications

Some prescription medications have been found to prevent sweat or slow its production.

Types of Heat Related Illnesses Common Signs

There are lots of heat related illnesses that can develop in the elderly. And it is vital for you, as someone who takes care of your loved one, to be aware of these. The most common types and signs of heat related illnesses are as follows:

1. Heat Exhaustion

Heat Exhaustion is the least severe type of heat related illness. It typically involves a loss of water and salt from the body due to excessive sweating or dehydration. This illness is most likely to affect seniors, individuals with high blood pressure, and people working in a hot environment.

Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale, and clammy skin
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Fainting or Passing Out
• Nausea or Vomitting
• Weak, Rapid Pulse

What Things To Do?

• Move your senior loved one to a cool place
• Remove unnecessary clothing such as shoes and socks
• Put cool, wet cloths on your seniors body or have your loved one wash their head, face, and neck with cold water.
• Ensure they drink plenty of cool water.

Get help immediately if:

• If your senior is throwing up
• Their symptoms got worse
• Their symptoms last longer than one hour

2. Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that occur during strenuous exercise in hot weather. These cramps are usually in the arms and legs but can also happen in your abdomen. The pain of heat cramps is caused by a loss of salt and water from your body. When you sweat too much and lose salt from your blood, it makes it harder for muscles to function properly. This can result in cramping or weakness.

Signs and symptoms of heat cramps include:

• A general feeling of being unwell 
• Muscle cramps in the legs, arms, or abdomen can range from mild to severe. 
• Painful spasms that are usually felt during exercise 

What Things To Do

• Advise your elderly loved one to stop exercising and have them rest in a cool, dry place
• Drink plenty of water and have a snack. Drinking sports drinks with electrolytes can help to restore a lost salt level. However seniors with diabetes in which they should restrict their sugar intake, sugary drinks like sports drinks are a poor beverage choice.
• You should wait until the cramps subside before doing any physical activity.

Get help immediately if:

• Your senior’s cramp does not subside within one hour
• They’re on a low sodium diet
• Have heart health issues

3. Heat Rash

It is a form of skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot weather. When sweat and heat are trapped against the skin, it can cause skin cells to die, which results in a skin rash.

Signs and symptoms of heat rash include:

• Red clusters of small blisters appear like pimples, usually on the chest, neck, groin, or elbow creases.
• The rash can itch and burn.

What Things To Do

• Encourage your loved one to remain in a cool room, preferably airconditioned.
• Keep the rash dry
• Use powder to promote comfort
• Never use ointments and creams

4. Heat Syncope

Heat syncope is a condition in which you feel dizzy, weak, or faint due to hot weather. It occurs when the body’s temperature rises too high, causing blood vessels in your head and neck to dilate. It causes a drop in blood pressure, making you pass out or feel lightheaded. 

Signs and symptoms of heat syncope include:

• Loss of consciousness or fainting 
• Dizziness 
• Weakness 
• A feeling of lightheadedness when standing for a long period or rising suddenly from a sitting position

What Things To Do?

• Avoid direct sunlight as much as possible.  
• Drink plenty of water and other cool drinks, but avoid caffeinated beverages. 
• Wear loose, lightweight clothing made from natural fibers like cotton or linen and hats with wide brims that shade your face and neck.

5. Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious heat related illness and can be life threatening. It occurs when your body is exposed to high temperatures for a long period. Your body temperature rises rapidly, causing injury to the brain, heart, and other organs. The body’s temperature control system may fail to lead to a dangerous condition known as hyperthermia. Once your body temperature reaches 104°F or higher, the condition is called heat exhaustion, which can lead to heat stroke if you don’t seek immediate medical attention.

Signs and symptoms of heat stroke include:

• High body temperature (103° Fahrenheit or higher)
• Sudden confusion
• Numbness or weakness in the face, leg, or arm, especially on one side of the person’s body.
• Fast Strong Pulse
• Losing consciousness
• Hot, dry, or damp skin

 What Things to Do:

• Call 911. It is a medical emergency needing immediate treatment.
• Move your senior loved one to a cool place with air conditioning and have them remove clothing as soon as possible. 
• Help lower your loved one’s temperature. Put cold, wet cloths on their head, armpits, neck, and groin, or soak clothing with cool water. 
• Do not provide your loved one anything to drink.

Safety Tips To Prevent Heat Related Illness

We want our seniors to stay comfortable during the hot summer months, but they need to be protected from the dangers of heat-related illnesses. Here are some tips to help prevent heat-related illness in seniors:

1. Stay Cool Indoors

Our seniors need to avoid a heat wave by staying cool indoors. Homes with air-conditioning or well-ventilated windows can help to keep them cool and comfortable.

2. Dress Appropriately

Cooling your senior loved one’s body is crucial for keeping them comfortable but don’t forget about their head and neck! Make sure your loved one wears loose, lightweight clothing made from natural materials like cotton and linen that allows for a normal exchange of body heat and perspiration. A hat to shade their neck and face is also important for cooling their body.

3. Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully

Seniors with multiple health problems or chronic diseases must avoid prolonged heat exposure and direct sunlight. Plan outdoor activities carefully and take them in the early morning before 11:00 AM or in the evening after 5:00 PM when it’s cooler. If there will be a time you’re not available to watch over them, hiring a reliable caregiver to watch over them is another good option.

4. Always Wear Sunscreen

Seniors should always wear sunscreen when they go outside, even if it’s cloudy or cool. Protecting their skin from the sun is important because they are more likely to burn and develop other types of skin damage. Ensure the sunscreen is SPF 15 or higher; this will also help reduce the risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

5. Ensure Seniors Stay Hydrated

Seniors should drink lots of water throughout the day regardless of their activity level because dehydration is one of the most common causes of heat exhaustion and heat stroke—especially in frail or with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, kidney failure, or diabetes. Also, encourage your loved one to stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks as they can cause them to lose more body fluid.

6. Stay Updated

It’s important to stay updated on the forecast and know when the heat index is expected to rise above 100 degrees. If you see that a heat advisory has been issued for your area, make sure seniors in your life are aware of it and take precautions accordingly. 

Final Thoughts

Seniors are more susceptible to heat related illness than the average person due to their age, chronic medical conditions, and decreased ability to regulate their body temperature effectively. So it is important to know the signs and symptoms of heat related illness and respond quickly if you suspect your elderly loved one is experiencing any of these conditions. With just a few precautions and a little knowledge, you can prevent serious heat-related illness in your seniors.

We already know that you are concerned for your senior’s health and want only the best for them. But there will be a time when you cannot take care of them alone. When this happens, you must get in touch with the right people to help you with your problem. Hiring a reliable caregiver can help you take care of your loved one. A reliable caregiver can help to provide them with supportive and personal care, assist them with activities of daily living, etc., to allow individuals affected by excessive heat to go about their daily routines more comfortably. If you are searching for a trusted and experienced caregiver who can provide the best services, look no further. Serenity Senior Care will be able to provide you with the right person for the job.