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September 01, 2000
Illinois Nursing Homes Mobilize to Help Seniors
Beat the Heat
(Chicago)
-- Nursing homes around Illinois are on alert this week
as the temperatures and humidity rise, and a statewide
association of long term care facilities is offering
tips to the public on how to keep seniors safe and comfortable.
Seniors are particularly susceptible to complications
for hot weather because of decreased awareness of heat
exhaustion and heat stroke because of age.
Because of the numbers of frail elderly in their
care, nursing homes have implemented specialized procedures
for protecting seniors from heat-related problems.
As
part of its effort to protect seniors from extreme heat,
the Illinois Council on Long Term Care has sent out
a Heat Protocol developed by the Illinois Department
of Public Health. "We appreciate the Council's
efforts in distributing our Heat Protocol to nursing
facilities across Illinois," states Dr. John R.
Lumpkin, Director of the Illinois Department of Public
Health. "Illinois nursing homes have been very
proactive and successful in safeguarding residents from
the damaging effects of heat-related illnesses."
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:
· Is
everything working? Check the air conditioning system
frequently and monitor the temperature at least every two hours.
· What
if the air conditioning breaks down? Have a plan ready.
· If
you do not have air conditioning, cross ventilate. Open
windows on opposite sides of the building to increase air flow.
· Who
is most at risk? Pay special attention to people with
heart, circulatory, and pulmonary problems.
· Because
of decreased thirst awareness, seniors do not always
know when they need fluid. Encourage them to drink more fluids when it is hot.
· Light
and loose clothing are best.
· Shade
windows exposed to direct sunlight.
· Keep
an eye out for seniors with signs of discomfort.
· Move
seniors to the coolest possible place in the building.
· On
medication? Many
medicines, including diuretics, sedatives, hypnotics,
and anticholinergics can make a person more susceptible to heat stress.
All
seniors and their caregivers should be aware of the
following symptoms that can signal a heat-related illness:
Heat
Exhaustion
-- A state of weakness produced by the loss of normal
fluids and salts of the body. Heat exhaustion results
from exposure to heat, usually indoors.
Some
of the common symptoms of heat exhaustion include
cool, clammy skin; slightly elevated temperature; weak,
rapid pulse; shallow and quiet respirations; and tense
and contracted muscles.
Treatment
includes keeping individual quiet, keeping the head
lowered, keeping the body warm, increasing fluid intake,
and beginning emergency treatment promptly.
Heat
Stroke
-- A more serious heat-related illness resulting from
direct exposure to high temperatures or the sun. Heat
stroke commonly affects those who are debilitated or
fatigued.
Symptoms
include dizziness; weakness; nausea; spots before the
eyes; ringing in the ears; bright red skin; rapid, strong
pulse; unconsciousness usually follows; temperature
may reach 108 degrees.
Treatment
includes cooling off the individual, removing clothing,
applying cold cloths, giving a sponge bath, and beginning
emergency treatment promptly.
The Illinois Council on Long Term Care is a nursing
home trade association representing 220 facilities that
serve 38,000 residents across the state. 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 get the word
out about extreme heat.
By
proactively distributing the IDPH Heat Protocol to Illinois
nursing facilities, the Illinois Council on Long Term
Care hopes to help nursing facilities understand the
important steps they need to take to protect residents
from heat-related illnesses.
"Over
the years, staff at Illinois nursing homes have done
an excellent job in addressing the challenge of extreme
heat," states Terrence Sullivan, executive director
of the Illinois Council on Long Term Care.
"I
have been very impressed with the level of intensity
and concern for the residents' welfare and comfort reflected
in the actions taken by our members. We hope to continue
our tradition of protecting resident health and maintaining
cool and comfortable environments during the upcoming
summer months." Adds Dr. John R. Lumpkin of the
Illinois Department of Public Health: "Working
together, Illinois nursing homes have an outstanding
record over the last decade of protecting nursing home
residents from heat-related problems."
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