Summers in India tend to be very aggressive. The heat makes summer a dangerous season for everyone, but seniors are at a higher risk of suffering complications from the heat. Many seniors take medications that could dehydrate them or make them more sensitive to the sun. By and large, seniors’ care is an important aspect which needs attention during hot weather.
For seniors who are not as mobile or depend on others to come by to care for them, they may not be able to move themselves to a cooler spot or help themselves if they start feeling heat-sick when they’re by themselves. And they may have trouble recognizing when they are experiencing symptoms of disorders caused by heat before it’s too late. There are two main kinds of heat conditions:
Heat stroke is a very serious heat-related illness. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, nausea, spots before the eyes, ringing in the ears, bright red dry skin, rapid, strong pulse, and a body temperature of more than 103 degrees.
Heat exhaustion is a more mild heat-related illness, but must be treated. Symptoms include cool and clammy skin, a body temperature of up to 103 degrees, weak and rapid pulse, and shallow and quiet respirations.
If you notice someone who has these symptoms, get to a doctor immediately!
Below are few ideas and suggestions to help keep older adults cool:
- Wear light coloured or loose clothing
- Use sunscreen, even if going outside for just a short period of time
- Wear a hat that is wide-brimmed to protect the face (but isn’t so tight as to prevent ventilation)
- Stay hydrated with water or other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks
- Keep a spray bottle with cool water nearby to lightly spritz the face and body
- A shady spot outdoors may be cooler than inside, so sitting on a covered porch with a portable or ceiling fan may be a good option
- If you are inside your home with no AC, stay on the lower floor of your residence (which is typically cooler)
- Senior who can locomote should try to spend a few hours each day in a place with A/C: either a mall, library, a movie, or restaurant
Unfortunately, in India many seniors either cannot afford or don’t have access to air-conditioning to combat the heat. Below are a few suggestions, which might come handy:
Tips to help cool your home:
- When it is safe to do so, leave windows open (even at night) on both sides of your house to get a cross-breeze.
- Utilize portable fans and ceiling fans to amplify your A/C’s reach.
- Close curtains or shades on sunny windows, or find a way to cover them if they don’t have draperies.
- Clean and replace air filters regularly to maximize your AC and vent systems.
Also, we recommend to the architects who work on Senior housing designs/ facilities to incorporate points like windows on both sides of the house / apartment to be able to cater to this segment in true sense.
