When did we move to the sun?
Why caregivers must care about the heat
How many times in the past few weeks have you caught yourself saying, ‘Oh my gosh, it is so hot?'
I’m going to go out on a limb and say if you live anywhere in California, there is a good chance that has become your go-to phrase.
Keeping it REAL Caregiving recently shared with you some information about why family caregivers should have plans in place to respond to an emergency. And we talked about how important that is should your elder or loved one need emergency attention.
If you missed it, you can watch a short video to hear what fire first responders have to say about safety planning for our elders.
Heat waves and health
The recent heat waves sweeping the nation are also good reminders of the extra steps family caregivers should consider to keep an elder safe; not just a medical or external emergency but also from the heat!
Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 600 people in the United States are killed from extreme heat each year. Those especially vulnerable to the heat include children, those with disabilities, those working outside and older adults; 65+.
What caregivers should know about heat
While caring for my elderly mother, Miss Nellie, I thought I did everything possible to keep her safe from the heat given she was part of the population demos most at risk for illness due to heat.
From 2000 until 2016 we lived in South Florida. That means the moment we opened our front doors we were hit with heat and humidity.
At that time in my caregiving journey my mother was in her early 70’s. So yes, while that is older I did not consider her elderly and probably should have been more aware of her physical limitations and done more to help keep her safe. In retrospect I see now that being outside in the heat could very well have proven deadly for her.
During the first years that Miss Nellie settled into her South Florida routine she lived alone and was able to navigate local public transportation on her own. She handled her own grocery shopping for small items (I took her to the grocery store for the BIG stock-up trips).
She often walked to a nearby movie theatre to catch the matinee. And she would sometimes wait outside, in the heat, for the bus for a ride to the local senior center.
Her plan of attack was to start early in the day before it got too hot, always have a water bottle handy and wear a large shade hat. She was on the right track to stay safe, but still…
Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Understanding heat illness
I realize now, those days when mom would return home exceptionally flushed and tired and sweating but a bit chilled to the touch, were signs of heat illness. Heat exhaustion to be exact. We may have just been lucky nothing more serious happened to her.
In 2016 we relocated to Northern California. Miss Nellie was much older and by that time, she lived with me. That meant I handled all of her transportation needs.
Sometimes while running errands, mom would often come along with me. Because she never quite felt comfortable using her walker in public places she would say, ‘Oh, I’ll just stay in the car and wait for you.’
During the summer months I would reply, “No. You can’t. First, it is too hot; it is not safe. And second, someone would call the authorities and charge me with elder abuse for leaving my elderly mother in the hot car.”
We would both laugh about those exchanges (comedy was one of my survival techniques as a caregiver) but the issue is anything but funny. It is deadly serious.
Leaving a person, especially an elder in a car for even a few moments, can be deadly. I can’t tell you how many times over the years I have either called 9-1-1 or walked into a store to contact a manager, after spotting an elder, a child or a pet left inside a car.
Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Temperatures inside a car can quickly climb to beyond 100 degrees in just minutes. For the person or animal inside that could equal death in a short amount of time.
Despite news reports of such tragedies and constant reminders from law enforcement and meteorologist to NEVER leave someone in a car, sadly it still happens.
Beating the heat
So, what are some simple steps we can all take to try and stay safe in extreme heat?
I reached out the Butte County Public Health Department to ask, what additional steps we can take to help keep our elders safe.
Communications Manager Lisa Almaguer shared some of what the department advises, especially for those over 65 who are more at risk:
Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Hydration is important for elders, especially those who are taking medications or suffer from other underlying medical conditions.
Courtesy: Adobe Stock
The signals our bodies send alerting us we need liquids, may be not as efficient in elders as in a younger person.
Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.
Stay cool indoors. If you don’t have air conditioning, visit a public place with air conditioning, such as a shopping mall or library.
Wear light clothing and sunscreen.
Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, between 10 AM to 4 PM.
Rest often in the shade.
Never leave infants, children, elderly or pets in a parked car.
And finally, this last item is one I am a HUGE supporter and fan of: turning to each other to make sure everyone is safe and cared for.
Check on family, friends and neighbors who may not be aware of an upcoming heat event or may not have air conditioning.
Butte County has a dedicated extreme heat page with information on how to stay safe:
You can also reach out to your local health departments for more information which may be specific for your community.
But remember, the bottom line is this: pay attention to weather and heat warnings, keep a close eye on your elders and help keep them safe during our HOT summer season.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get a large glass of lemonade and cool off!
Until next time~