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For Immediate Release
July 19, 2005
Hot
Weather Tips to Safeguard Seniors
Illinois
Nursing Home Association Mobilizes to Help Elderly Beat
the Heat
CHICAGO
— When temperatures and humidity rise,
nursing homes around Illinois go on alert. Seniors are
particularly susceptible to complications from hot
weather because of decreased awareness of heat exhaustion
and heat stroke due to age.
The Illinois Council on Long Term Care, a
statewide association of long term care facilities, is
offering valuable tips to the public on how to keep
seniors safe and comfortable during this summer’s heat
wave.
As
part of its effort to protect seniors from extreme heat,
the Council has sent its members a “Heat Protocol”
developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The Council works closely with the Illinois Department
of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Public Aid,
and the Chicago Department of Public Health to educate
the public about extreme heat.
“Illinois
nursing home staff do an excellent job of protecting
seniors from heat-related problems,” said Susan Duda
Gardiner, director of clinical services for the Council.
“And, by releasing our strategies to the public, we
hope to ensure the continued welfare and safety for
thousands of elderly throughout Illinois.”
Based
on the experience and expertise nursing homes have
gained in serving the elderly, the Illinois Council on
Long Term Care advises everyone to take the following
steps to protect seniors from extreme heat:
·
Use
an air conditioner to keep rooms cool. If air
conditioning is unavailable, open windows on opposite
ends of the house or building to cross-ventilate and
increase air flow. Additionally, move seniors to the
coolest area of the house or building.
·
Regularly
attend to individuals who are most at risk for
heat-related illnesses, including elderly with heart,
circulatory and pulmonary conditions. Many medicines,
including those used for heart conditions, depression
and allergies, also can make a person more susceptible
to heat stress.
·
Encourage
seniors to drink more fluids. Because of decreased
thirst awareness, seniors do not always know when they
need fluid. They
should drink on a regular basis rather than only when
they are thirsty.
·
Ensure
the elderly are wearing light-colored, loose-fitting
clothing that allows the body to release heat.
·
Shade
windows exposed to direct sunlight.
·
Keep
an eye out for seniors with signs of discomfort.
Additionally,
all seniors and their caregivers should be aware of
heat-related illnesses, including:
·
Heat
Exhaustion
is produced by the loss of normal fluids and salts in
the body and results from exposure to heat, either
indoors or outdoors. Some of the common symptoms of heat
exhaustion include cool, clammy skin; a body temperature
of up to 103 degrees; weak, rapid pulse; shallow and
quiet respirations; and muscles that may be tense or
contracted.
Treatment includes keeping the individual quiet,
resting in a cool place and increasing intake of cool,
non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated fluids. Consult a
physician immediately.
·
Heat
Stroke
is a more serious heat-related illness resulting from
direct exposure to high temperatures or the sun. Heat
stroke commonly affects individuals who are debilitated
or fatigued. Symptoms include dizziness, weakness,
nausea, spots before the eyes, ringing in the ears,
bright red dry skin, rapid, strong pulse, and body
temperature of more than 103 degrees.
Treatment includes cooling off the individual,
removing clothing, applying cool cloths, and giving him
or her a sponge bath. Direct the individual to the
nearest hospital emergency room as soon as possible.
#
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The
Illinois Council on Long Term Care is a professional
association of nearly 200 nursing facilities committed
to quality residential health care in Illinois through a
productive and responsible partnership between the
private and public sectors. The Council represents more
than 26,000 nursing home professionals serving more than
37,000 residents. Helpful information for seniors and
families can be found at the Council’s Web site
www.nursinghome.org.
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