
Dealing with Summer Heat and Humidity
Share this page:
September 17, 2022 by ChristinaV | For Seniors

Dealing with Summer Heat and Humidity
If Seniors Helping Seniors can help you in any way, please call (772) 492-8381
People who are 65 and older generally have a harder time adjusting to sudden or extreme changes in temperature. Their body’s ability to thermoregulate body heat may be due to medications, chronic medical conditions, etc.
- If possible, stay inside in an air-conditioned place on very hot and humid days. If you do not have A/C and are experiencing an unusually hot period, contact an air-conditioned shelter in your area or call the health department for advice and/or assistance.
- Fans will cool a person to a degree. However, once temperatures get into the mid-to-high 90’s, especially if the humidity is high, fans are no longer effective.
- Drink plenty of water and do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. Thirst is a sign that your body is already becoming dehydrated. Always check with your physician to determine how much water per day you should be drinking if you have chronic health issues, or if you are are on medications to rid your body of excess fluid.
- Do not drink alcohol or sugary drinks during extremely hot weather since those can both cause you to become dehydrated. Sugary drinks can inhibit your body from absorbing the water it needs. And avoid extremely cold fluids, as those may cause stomach cramps due to the very cold water constricting blood vessels in the stomach.
- During extremely hot temperatures, and if your diet and physician allow, eat foods that do not have to be cooked such as salads, sandwiches, etc. Turning on your stove or oven will only make your home hotter, especially if you do not have air conditioning. And avoid eating hot and spicy foods that can raise your body temperature.
- Light colors deflect heat, so wear light-colored, lightweight, loose-fitting, natural fiber clothing.
- If you do not have air conditioning, or have it but are experiencing a power outage, taking a cool or lukewarm shower or bath will help you cool down and reduce your core temperature by the process of conduction (transference of your body heat into the cooler water).
- Extremely hot weather is not a time for seniors to be working outside in the garden or doing any other strenuous activities. Stay inside or sit outside in a shady, breezy area if you have no A/C.
- If there are things you absolutely must do outside every day, try to do them early in the morning when it is the coolest and take frequent breaks in shady areas. Or, determine if someone else can help you in order to get these items accomplished quicker.
- Don’t forget to check on your friends to see how they are doing and arrange for someone to call and check on you regularly as well.
- Heavy perspiration removes essential salt and minerals from our body and may need to be replaced. Ask your physician if you can drink sports drinks, how many, and what type. Remember that those who are diabetic, on a salt-modified diet, have heart or kidney disease, or other chronic conditions can harm themselves by drinking sports drinks.
- If you have pets, remember that they need to stay hydrated and cool also. Provide them with enough water and keep your pet in as cool an area as possible.
Last, but not least, if you begin to experience early symptoms of heat related illness, such as rash, cramps, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness, or confusion - seek medical care or dial 911 immediately
TOPICS
- Real Estate (5)
- Eats (7)
- Education and Tutoring (1)
- For Seniors (43)
- Health + Beauty (28)
- Marketing (1)
- Medical (14)
- Shops (1)
- Things To Do (1)
RECENT POSTS

Hurricanes, Your Home, and Evaluation Routes
Although Hurricane Idalia is the first seasonal storm to impact Florida for 2023, you can rest assured it will not be the last. We have covered hurricane preparedness previously in this blog, but this will cover a few different preparedness items.

Is Volunteering for You?
Most of us have looked forward to that time when we could retire. We worked hard all our lives and hopefully have saved for our senior years. The first few months or even years of retirement are glorious. We do not have to get up before we want to in the morning, we can do what we like during the day, stay up later at night to watch a movie, read a book, etc.

The First Thing to do When Someone Dies
The following is a wonderful lesson in how to accept death with grace, love, and confidence. Seniors Helping Seniors has received written permission from Dr. Kerr to share this with you.

Pet Preparedness During Hurricane Season
Not everyone has a pet or pets in their retirement years, but it is safe to say that many of us do and that we will go to any lengths to protect our fur babies from harm.

How Do You Handle Frustration
Have you ever felt frustrated, let down, or disappointed? These are all emotions we may feel when our expectations have not been met. And, unless we live in total nirvana, it is safe to say these emotions have impacted most of us at one time or another.

Happiness
Much research has been done to suggest that being happy and content in our lives can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, respiratory function, and other negative health issues. Consequently, having an optimistic attitude may equate to a longer life.