Increasing Summer Heat Causes Potential Health Risks for Seniors
As summer continues to arrive, the temperatures can alter greatly in a 24 hour period. Depending on where you actually live in the Santa Clarita area, you may wake up to 60 degrees in the morning and experience temperatures up to 80 degrees or higher by the evening. These temperatures can be extremely harmful for seniors.
After a 20 year study from Harvard University that gathered data from numerous chronically ill seniors that received Medicare, the researchers concluded that these strange temperature fluctuations can cause as many as 10,000 additional deaths among the older population around the nation each year.
Even relatively small temperature increases, no more than two degrees on the Fahrenheit scale, can cause an increase of the older individual’s risk of death by as much as four percent. The actual increase in risk would be dependent on the exact chronic health condition they suffered from.
According to the study, any senior that was suffering from chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart failure or heart disease were exceptionally susceptible to the changing temperatures.
It is a proven fact that older residents in the Santa Clarita area have a much more difficult time thermoregulation to the changing levels of heat. While there have been previous studies that associated heat waves with an increased rate of deaths among seniors, this is the first clear study that connected minor temperature changes to long-term mortality issues. This fact is beginning to become even more evident as the global climate changes are appearing in a more prevalent manner.
Dangerous Swings Caused by Summer Heat
It is suspected that this summer may be one of the most varied in temperatures yet. However, this does not mean that seniors or their caregivers have to stay inside and crank up the air conditioning unit; it simply means that the planning of outdoor activities needs to be done much more carefully.
If you have an elderly loved one that wants to enjoy the summer air, you should encourage them to wear any type of clothing that is light in color, lightweight and breathable. Additionally, they should don a wide-brimmed hat in order to shelter their neck and head from the sun’s harmful rays.
It is also essential that plenty of water is packed in order to stay hydrated and seek out areas that are shaded for relief from the intense heat.
When you use the in home care service offered by Comfort Keepers in Santa Clarita you can feel confident that your senior will be well taken care of and shielded from potential issues caused by the summer heat. Each caregiver has a clear understanding of how heat can affect seniors, which is why you should enlist their services for help with your senior loved one this summer.
Comfort Keepers
23900 Lyons Avenue
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
661-287-4200
