10 | Senior Living Summer 2019
SENIOR LIVING | STAYING SAFE
Protect Yourself from Extreme Heat
With warmer
temperatures on the
horizon in most areas
of the country, now
is the time to prepare
your home and body.
According to the Centers
for Disease Control and
Prevention, more people in
the United States die from
extreme heat than earth-
quakes, hurricanes, lightning,
floods and tornadoes com-
bined.
With age, our bodies
become less able to cool
down when temperatures are
extreme. Fortunately, there
are several proactive steps
seniors can take to keep
themselves safe this summer.
Don’t underestimate the
impact heat can have on your
health. Remember these tips
as the temperatures increase.
AIR-CONDITIONING
INSPECTION
Before the heat is in full
force, have a certified HVAC
service analyze the integrity
of your air-conditioning sys-
tem. Ensuring it will perform
when you need it most is
good peace of mind.
They will test it and per-
form preventative mainte-
nance so it’s running in peak
condition.
If your AC system breaks
down in the middle of the
summer, you may face delays
before a specialist can make
repairs as it is the busy sea-
© ADOBE STOCK
son. If you should find your-
self in this situation, have a
back-up plan to stay with a
loved one or an emergency
fund to check into a hotel
until the unit is fixed.
REMAIN HYDRATED
A key to keeping safe
during the summer is to stay
hydrated. Drinking plenty of
water is always important but
especially crucial during the
heat. If you find yourself out-
side for extended periods, be
sure to take numerous sips,
not just when you’re thirsty,
as thirst isn’t a good indicator
of hydration.
Signs to look for include
headache, muscle cramps
and dry mouth or tongue. If
these symptoms persist, it’s
important to seek medical
attention before they become
worse.
BUDDY SYSTEM
OR CAREGIVER
Call on a friend or loved
one to check in on you every
few hours during days of
extreme heat. You will have
peace of mind that if some-
thing goes wrong, you will
have someone looking out for
you.
If you need more constant
care, consider hiring an
in-home caretaker. They can
help ensure you are remain-
ing hydrated and determine if
the heat is beginning to affect
your health.