Summer safety tips for seniors living at home

Minnesota summers are gorgeous. Long days, warm nights, all of it. But heat hits older adults harder than most people realize.

Their bodies don't regulate temperature as efficiently, and a lot of common medications actually make heat worse. So even a stretch of 85-degree days can become a problem fast.

Here's what you can do to help.

Keep water in front of them

This one sounds obvious, but here's the thing: as people age, their sense of thirst fades. Your mom might not feel thirsty at all, even when she's getting dehydrated. That makes it easy to miss until it's a real problem.

A few things that help:

• Keep a water bottle where they can always see it
• Offer foods with high water content. Watermelon, cucumbers, oranges.
• Set reminders through the day if needed
• Cut back on caffeine and alcohol, which speed up dehydration
• Try to hit at least 6 to 8 glasses a day

A caregiver can keep an eye on this and watch for early warning signs like dry mouth, dizziness, or dark urine.

Learn what heat exhaustion looks like

Heat exhaustion sneaks up fast. It can happen indoors if the AC isn't keeping up. Look for:

• Heavy sweating, or suddenly no sweating at all
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or confusion
• Rapid heartbeat
• Cool, clammy skin

If you see any of these, get them somewhere cool, offer water, put cool cloths on their skin. If things don't improve in 30 minutes, call 911.

Talk to their doctor about medications

A lot of medications don't mix well with heat. Blood pressure meds, diuretics, antihistamines, some mental health prescriptions. They can all reduce the body's ability to cool down.

Before we hit the hot stretch, check in with the doctor:

• Do any of their meds increase heat sensitivity?
• Should doses change during extreme heat?
• What warning signs should you watch for?

This matters a lot during Minnesota heat waves, when it can sit above 90 for days straight.

Keep the house cool

Some seniors don't have great AC. Others have it but won't run it because of the electric bill. Both situations are worth paying attention to.

• Test the AC early. Don't wait for the first 95-degree day.
• Set the thermostat to 78 or lower. The energy cost is worth their safety.
• Run fans in rooms that don't have AC.
• Close the blinds during the hottest hours.
• Know where your county's cooling centers are in case of power outages or extended heat.

If they don't have AC at all, contact the county. Many Minnesota counties have programs that help vulnerable adults get cooling equipment.

Get outside, just be smart about it

Nobody should have to stay locked inside all summer. Fresh air is good for mood, sleep, energy. Just pick your timing.

• Morning and evening are cooler. Stick to those windows.
• Wear a hat, light colors, lightweight fabrics.
• Sunscreen every time, even on cloudy days.
• Take breaks in the shade.
• Always bring water.

A caregiver can go along on walks or trips to the garden and make sure everything stays safe.

What a caregiver can do in summer

Summer adds to the daily routine. A home health caregiver can:

• Watch fluid intake and catch dehydration early
• Make cool, easy meals
• Help with lighter clothing changes
• Go outside with your loved one
• Check in during heat advisories
• Keep the home comfortable

If your family could use some extra help this summer, give us a call at (952) 256-4240 or submit a referral online. Most services start within 72 hours.