June 13, 2023 —
With summertime comes an array of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, from picnics and music festivals, art fairs and carnivals to water recreation and more, there’s plenty of fun to be had in the sun. It can be easy to forget basic summer safety when you’re too busy spending time with friends, enjoying your passions and simply embracing life. Don’t let the high summer temperatures cause a health scare or keep you from enjoying the outdoors all summer long.
“While summer is often a much-loved time of year, it can also cause some aches and pains if you aren’t taking the right precautions,” says Lisa Wacht of Kendal® on Hudson, the only true Life Plan community in Westchester County. “While the temperature might feel nice, it can also be deadly, making it important to be informed about hyperthermia, heat syncope, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. If you or a loved one spend a lot of time outside during the summer, knowing the signs and symptoms, as well as how to prevent and treat these illnesses can make all the difference in maintaining safety all summer long.”
Staying Safe This Summer
Beating the high summer temperatures doesn’t mean staying indoors all summer long, it just means getting informed on what causes heat illness, the forms of it, how to spot them and how to prevent them from occurring. According to an article by nextavenue®, older adults can be particularly vulnerable to high temperatures for a wide range of reasons. Some of these include high blood pressure, heart, lung and kidney disease, the use of multiple medications, poor circulation, weight and alcohol use. These make it more important to watch for temperature-related illnesses like:
- The National Institutes of Health state that hyperthermia is abnormally high body temperature that comes from a failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms within the body. To ensure your body temperature does not rise too high, it’s important to drink enough water and have an air-conditioned space you can go to.
- Heat Syncope. This form of heat-illness is mild and includes fainting. According to the Emergency Medical Services Authority, this is caused by physical exertion when it’s hot. When working outdoors, or spending prolonged periods outside, be sure to drink plenty of water, as dehydration usually contributes greatly to heat syncope.
- Heat Exhaustion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that cold, pale, clammy skin, a fast but weak pulse, tiredness or weakness and fainting can be signs of this. Move indoors, sip on water and loosen your clothes. If you are throwing up, if symptoms get worse or last longer than an hour, call 911.
- The CDC states that headaches, dizziness, nausea and confusion are all signs of heatstroke. If you notice a high body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, a faster and stronger pulse and feel as though you may pass out, it’s important to call 911 right away and refrain from giving the person anything to drink.
The NIH states that if you suspect someone is suffering from a temperature-related illness, you should take them into a shady or air-conditioned area. Have them lie down, shower or bathe in cool water. Cold, wet cloths can be applied to the wrists and neck to help cool off the blood quickly. Encourage the person to drink plenty of water. If you suspect heatstroke, call 911 immediately.
If you are going to experience a prolonged period of high temperature, it may be a good idea to find a cooler place to stay. Instead, avoid going outside, go somewhere with air conditioning and check on your friends and neighbors to make sure they are ok.
To learn more about temperature-related conditions, heatstroke and more, contact our team at Kendal on Hudson, we would be happy to help you learn more ways to prevent them and keep you or a loved one healthy and safe. If you’d like to talk to our team or schedule a tour, contact us today by calling 914-922-1000.
Together, Transforming the Experience of Aging.®
Founded on Quaker principles and guided by our values and practices, Kendal® on Hudson provides a vibrant, active and social senior lifestyle on our 25-acre campus next to the historic Hudson River. As the only Lifecare community in Westchester County, we offer four levels of service for our residents: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Support and Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Services.
Kendal on Hudson is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors. Kendal on Hudson is an affiliate of The Kendal Corporation, a system of communities and services for older people based in Kennett Square, PA. We support diversity, inclusiveness, and independence and support the values and practices of Kendal by remaining focused on healthy aging. Located in Sleepy Hollow, New York, just 35 miles from New York City, we offer a vibrant lifestyle, cultural programs, continued learning and health care for life.
For more information, please call 914-922-1000.