Beach trips, BBQs, afternoons at the pool – almost everyone loves summer activities and sunny days. But summer has its downside: hot, humid weather that can lead to heat stroke or other heat-related illnesses. Our elders are particularly vulnerable to this issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are three main reasons that the 65+ crowd must use extra precautions during the summer season:

· Elderly people do not adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature.

· They are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that upsets normal body responses to heat.

· They are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration.

While encouraging time in the great outdoors is certainly worthwhile, be aware of the risks and warning signs. And know that just because you’re not outside doesn’t mean you’re home free. On extremely hot days, a car or a residence can be a dangerous spot when the temperature rises.

Any illness whose culprit is “being hot for too long” is classified as hyperthermia, say the experts at the NIA (National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health). Heat cramps, heat edema, heat syncope, and heat exhaustion are all possible reactions to extreme temperatures (for definitions and recovery tips, see “Hyperthermia: Too Hot for your Health”). But the CDC affirms that heat stroke tops the list as the most serious heat-related illness, capable of causing death or permanent disability if treatment is not provided immediately.

If your elderly loved one lives alone, be sure he or she is aware of the risks and warning signs for heat-related illness. Also, check to see if the habitat is heat-ready. Cold weather signals that it’s time to cover the windows with plastic and bring the garden hose inside, but in this day and age of central air and movable air conditioning units, do we think about “summer-izing” the house? Many older homes do not have central air, and just the act of carrying a heavy air conditioning unit up from the basement is a precarious task for the senior on his own, much less going without some form of air conditioning on those extra toasty days.

The NIA’s “Hyperthermia” article offers a robust list of things you can do to lower the risks of heat-related illness, including information on what to do in an abode that does not have air conditioning. Check the CDC article for warning signs, symptoms and tips for emergency response to a heat-related illness. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to print these lists in large-type font and post them in high-traffic locations in your parent’s home (and vehicle), with emergency contact numbers included.

This article is not to say that the senior in your life should stay indoors all summer long. But heat-related illnesses are a serious issue. No matter what our age, hanging out in 110 degree weather without taking breaks or having a tall glass of water nearby is risky behavior. I learned that one the hard way a few summers ago after sunbathing on a humid, hazy day with no water, no suntan lotion and no time limit on how long I should stay there.

Be vigilant, be cautious, and be smart – summer is our friend (especially for all of you teachers, students and retirees who don’t have to work), but it can quickly become the enemy if we aren’t prepared.

-Michelle Seitzer