Keeping hydrated, especially during the hot summer days, is crucial for everyone, but definitely for the elderly. Oftentimes, heat exhaustion and dehydration land a senior citizen directly in the emergency room. So, as a family caregiver, it is important to know how this happens and how it can be prevented, as well.
Defining Heat Exhaustion and Dehydration
When someone is dehydrated, their body can’t produce a lot of sweat which is needed to keep the body cooler. The primary reason for this is because there aren’t enough electrolytes and fluids in the person’s body to be distributed everywhere. Dehydration then diminishes a person’s ability to regulate their own temperature, which dramatically increases their risk of heat-related illnesses. Heat exhaustion happens when the body is overheated. This type of exhaustion can often lead to heat stroke if not properly handled.
Warning Signs of Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion
It is important to remind your senior to drink plenty of water this summer. This is something that senior home care can help even when you can’t be there. Even so, it is also important for you to learn about the warning signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion in the elderly. The sooner these signs are recognized, the better chances there will be of getting your elderly loved one the treatment they need.
Senior Home Care in St. Petersburg FLSome of the warning signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion include:
- Pale skin
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Excessive thirst
- Dizziness
- Swollen tongue
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps
- Darker, less frequent urination
If your elderly loved one is experiencing these warning signs, you should take them to their doctor or the hospital to be seen. There are treatments they can be given to help reverse dehydration or heat exhaustion.
There are also some severe warning signs that should never be ignored. If your elderly loved one has the following signs, dial 9-1-1 immediately:
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Fever of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Lethargy
- Trouble breathing
- Seizures
- Abdominal/chest pain
- Palpitations/rapid heartbeat
Hopefully, things won’t get this bad for your elderly loved one, but if they do at least you now know what it could be and what to do about it.
Preventing Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion
The warm and hot days are upon us which means we must look out even more for our elderly loved ones. It is important that family caregivers and senior home care providers help the elderly to prevent dehydration and heat exhaustion. Some of the best ways to do that include:
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
- Drink a lot of water
- Cover skin (umbrellas, hats, sunscreen, etc.)
- Don’t do too much physical activity when heat index is high
- Drink sports drinks with plenty of electrolytes in them
If you and senior home care providers can get your elderly loved one to do these things, hopefully, they won’t become dehydrated in the first place.
Conclusion
These are some of the things that family caregivers ought to know about dehydration and heat exhaustion. Now that you know this information, you can help your elderly loved one to prevent these issues and spot them quickly if they occur.
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/UserFiles/works/pdfs/2017-126.pdf
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Senior Home Care in St. Petersburg, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
