People aged 65 years or older are more prone to heat-related health problems. If you’re an older adult or a caretaker, review this information on how you or the person you’re caring for can stay safe during the heat.

Why are older adults more prone to heat stress?

• Older adults do not adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature.
• They are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat.
• They are more likely to take prescription medicines that affect the body’s ability to control its temperature or sweat.

Stay cool, stay hydrated

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, contact your local health department or locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area.
• Do not rely on a fan as your main cooling source when it’s really hot outside.
• Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
  • If your doctor limits the amount of fluids you drink or has you on water pills, ask them how much you should drink during hot weather.
• Don’t use the stove or oven to cook—it will make you and your house hotter.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
• Do not engage in very strenuous activities and get plenty of rest.
• Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.

Stay informed

• Check the local news for health and safety updates.
• Seek medical care immediately if you have, or someone you know has, symptoms of heat-related illness like muscle cramps, headaches, nausea or vomiting.

Caretaker checklist

Keep a close eye on those in your care by visiting them at least twice a day, and ask yourself these questions:

• Are they drinking enough water?
• Do they have access to air conditioning?
• Do they know how to keep cool?
• Do they show any signs of heat stress?

Each year, most people who die from hyperthermia are over 50 years old. Health problems that put you at greater risk include:

• Heart or blood vessel problems
• Poorly working sweat glands or changes in your skin caused by normal aging
• Heart, lung, or kidney disease, as well as any illness that makes you feel weak all over or results in a fever
• Conditions treated by drugs, such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and some heart and high blood pressure medicines; they may make it harder for your body to cool itself
• Taking several prescription drugs; ask your doctor if any of your medications make you more likely to become overheated.
• Being very overweight or underweight
• Drinking alcoholic beverages

Too much heat is not safe for anyone. It is even riskier if you are older or have health problems. It is important to get relief from the heat quickly. If not, you might begin to feel confused or faint. Your heart could become stressed and stop beating.

Being hot for too long can be a problem. It can cause several illnesses, all grouped under the name hyperthermia (hy-per-THER-mee-uh):

• Heat syncope is a sudden dizziness that can happen when you are active in hot weather. If you take a heart medication called a beta blocker or are not used to hot weather, you are even more likely to feel faint. Rest in a cool place, put your legs up, and drink water to make the dizzy feeling go away.
• Heat cramps are the painful tightening of muscles in your stomach, arms, or legs. Cramps can result from hard work or exercise. Though your body temperature and pulse usually stay normal during heat cramps, your skin may feel moist and cool. Find a way to cool your body down. Rest in the shade or in a cool building. Drink plenty of fluids, but not those with alcohol or caffeine.
• Heat edema is a swelling in your ankles and feet when you get hot. Put your legs up to help reduce swelling. If that doesn’t work fairly quickly, check with your doctor.
• Heat exhaustion is a warning that your body can no longer keep itself cool. You might feel thirsty, dizzy, weak, uncoordinated, and nauseated. You may sweat a lot. Your body temperature may stay normal, but your skin may feel cold and clammy. Some people with heat exhaustion have a rapid pulse. Rest in a cool place and get plenty of fluids. If you don’t feel better soon, get medical care. Be careful—heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke.

If you have heat stroke, you need to get medical help right away. Older people living in homes or apartments without air conditioning or fans are at most risk. People who become dehydrated or those with chronic diseases or alcoholism are also at most risk. Signs of heat stroke are:

• Fainting (possibly the first sign) or becoming unconscious
• A change in behavior—confusion, agitation, staggering, being grouchy, or acting strangely
• Body temperature over 104°F (40°C)
• Dry, flushed skin and a strong, rapid pulse or a slow, weak pulse
• Not sweating even if it is hot

Things you can do to lower your risk of heat-related illness:

• Drink plenty of liquids, such as water or fruit or vegetable juices. Stay away from drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. If your doctor has told you to limit your liquids, ask what you should do when it is very hot.
• If you live in a home or apartment without fans or air conditioning, try to keep your house as cool as possible. Limit your use of the oven. Keep your shades, blinds, or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day. Open your windows at night.
• If your house is hot, try to spend time during mid-day some place that has air conditioning—for example, go to the shopping mall, movies, library, senior center, or a friend’s house.
• If you need help getting to a cool place, ask a friend or relative. Some religious groups, senior centers, and Area Agencies on Aging provide this service. If necessary, take a taxi or call for senior transportation. Don’t stand outside in the heat waiting for a bus.
• Dress for the weather. Some people find natural fabrics, such as cotton, to be cooler than synthetic fibers.
• Don’t try to exercise or do a lot of activities outdoors when it’s hot.
• Avoid crowded places when it’s hot outside. Plan trips during non-rush-hour times.

If the temperature or humidity is going up or an air pollution alert is in effect, you are at increased risk for a heat-related illness. Play it safe by checking the weather report before going outside.

Older people can have a tough time dealing with heat and humidity. The temperature inside or outside does not have to reach 100°F (38°C) to put them at risk for a heat-related illness.

Headache, confusion, dizziness, or nausea could be a sign of a heat-related illness. Go to the doctor or an emergency room to find out if you need treatment.

To keep heat-related illnesses from becoming a dangerous heat stroke, remember to:

• Get out of the sun and into a cool place—air-conditioning is best.
• Drink fluids, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. Water and fruit or vegetable juices are good choices.
• Shower, bathe, or sponge off with cool water.
• Lie down and rest in a cool place.
• Visit your doctor or go to an emergency room if you don’t cool down quickly.

During hot weather, think about making daily visits to older relatives and neighbors. Remind them to drink lots of water or juice, as long as their doctor hasn’t recommended otherwise because of a pre-existing condition. If there is a heat wave, offer to help them go someplace cool, such as air-conditioned malls, libraries, or senior centers.

People aged 65 or older are more prone to heat-related health concerns. Older adults can’t adjust to sudden temperature changes as fast as younger people. This may happen because of certain medicines they take or chronic illnesses that affect their ability to regulate body temperature. When not treated properly, heat-related illnesses can lead to death. But you can take steps to stay cool during hot weather.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness

If your body becomes overheated, you can be in danger of heat-related illness. These illnesses can include :

• Heat syncope, or sudden dizziness.
• Heat cramps.
• Heat edema, or swelling in your legs and ankles.
• Heat exhaustion—when your body can no longer stay cool. This often appears as feeling thirsty, dizzy, weak, uncoordinated, or nauseated. You may sweat a lot and have cold and clammy skin or a rapid pulse.
• Heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. Signs can include fainting, behavior changes, high body temperature (over 104° F), dry skin, a strong and rapid pulse, a slow and weak pulse, and no longer sweating even though it’s hot.

How to Stay Cool If You Are an Older Adult

• Drink water regularly. Do NOT wait until you’re thirsty to start drinking water.
• Avoid using your oven or stove to prepare meals.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes.
• Take showers to cool down.
• Maintain the heating and air conditioning system in your home, so your home cools properly.
• If you don’t have air conditioning, consider staying with a friend or family member during a heatwave. It may be enough to take an “air conditioning break” at a local mall or library during the heat of the day.
• Don’t overwork yourself, and make sure you rest.
• Have others check up on you, and vice versa.
• Wear sunscreen and clothing to protect yourself from sunburns, which make it hard for your body to cool down.
• When outside in the heat, wear a hat, try to stay in the shade, and move slowly so you won’t become overheated.

Seek medical care immediately if you have symptoms of heat-related illness like muscle cramps, dizziness, headaches, nausea, weakness, or vomiting.

How to Help an Older Adult Avoid Heat-Related Illness

As a friend, family member, or caregiver, you can help an older adult avoid heat-related illness during the warmer months. Some things you can do are:

• Know what medicines they are taking and find out if they affect body temperature.
• Call or connect regularly and ask if they are cool enough. Listen for patterns or shared concerns. Consider having a remote body or home temperature sensor or monitor installed.
• If you don’t live nearby, have the contact information for someone who does and who can regularly check in on them.
• Complete a care plan together to provide structure and direction. The care plan should include ways to stay cool during extreme heat and should note if any medicines the person takes may affect body temperature regulation.
• If you are the one checking in on older adult, make sure they
  • Stay hydrated
  • Have the living space set to a comfortable temperature
  • Know how to stay cool during extreme heat
  • Don’t show signs of heat stress
• Seek medical care immediately if the person has symptoms of heat-related illness like muscle cramps, dizziness, headaches, nausea, weakness, or vomiting.

How to Help Someone With Dementia Avoid Heat-Related Illness

About 25% of people with dementia live alone, and they may not always have awareness about their surroundings. Learn how to make a home safety checklist for someone with Alzheimer’s or related dementias. During the warmer months:

• If the person is using a portable fan, make sure that objects can’t be placed in the blades. Place fans near electrical outlets to avoid using an extension cord. If an extension cord must be used, attach it to the baseboards to reduce the risk of tripping.
• Install alarms that alert you if a door or window is opened. This can reduce the risk of wandering in hot weather and keep cool air inside the home.
• Fence off swimming pools with a locked gate, cover if possible, and closely monitor the person when they are in the pool.
• Hide an extra key outside the home in case the person with dementia locks the door and a caregiver or emergency responder needs to get inside.
• Keep a list of all medicines the person takes and ask the doctor if any of them increase the risk of becoming overheated.