Help Seniors Avoid Hyperthermia During These Brutally Hot Summer Months
Many people understand what hypothermia is. This is a serious medical emergency where the body gets too cold. What about hyperthermia? It generally doesn’t get as much attention as hypothermia, but it’s just as serious. This is a condition where the body begins overheating.
Home Health Care in Berwyn PA: Avoiding Hyperthermia
For aging seniors, hyperthermia can become an extremely dangerous situation and their body simply doesn’t have the same ability to cool down as it once did.
Yes, elderly men and women can sweat, but nothing like they may have in their younger years. Also, trying to keep the body cool puts more strain on the heart and other parts of the body.
There are things seniors and their family support systems can do to minimize the risk of hyperthermia. Recently, much of the country was mired in a significant heatwave that produced dangerous temperatures from the Midwest all the way along the East Coast.
Millions of people were affected, including elderly men and women. Below are a few tips that can help reduce the risk of an aging senior developing hyperthermia the next time temperatures go beyond comfortable and right into oppressive.
If you or somebody you know suspects another person might be getting overheated, get them indoors, into a cooler environment, and pay close attention to the symptoms they exhibit. If you have any questions whatsoever or feel they may have gotten overheated, it may be best to contact a local hospital or doctor for further instruction.
1. Drink plenty of fluids.
Alcoholic beverages are something to completely avoid on those hottest of days. Alcohol saps the body of necessary moisture, so even as a person drinks more, they are actually becoming dehydrated.
Water is best, so encourage the aging senior to drink a little bit more water each day than they might be used to. If they wait until they’re thirsty, they could be setting their body up for hyperthermia.
2. Stay indoors with air conditioning.
It’s best to avoid the hottest of days and instead hunker in the air conditioning security of home. There are plenty of other days in the year to go out and visit a park, run errands, do shopping, and so forth, so it’s not necessary to be out on extremely hot days.
3. Check on these seniors more often.
Family and friends should make it a habit of calling or stopping by to visit with elderly people they care about. Check to make sure they’re fine. Make sure their windows are sealed up when you have the air conditioning running. Be sure they’re comfortable, not getting overheated, and especially not overexerting themselves.
These hot days will pass, but before they do you’ll want to make sure the safety of any senior in your life is placed as a top priority.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Health Care in Berwyn, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care. Call today:
Call today: (484) 206-4544
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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