Tips for Seniors for Staying Cool During the Utah Summer
The summers in Utah are notoriously hot and dry with temperatures sometimes reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. While the dryer weather may be preferable to the sticky humidity of other regions, the heat can still be dangerous, especially for seniors with specific care needs. Keep reading to learn more about the dangers of becoming overheated, and tips for staying cool this summer.
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Understanding the Risks of Utah Summers for Seniors
With high temperatures, low humidity, and very little cloud coverage, sun exposure and becoming overheated are real dangers during a Utah summer. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIH), not only do aging bodies have a more difficult time adjusting to extreme temperatures, but because seniors are more likely to have chronic conditions, and are taking medications that make it more difficult for their bodies to stay cool, they are at a greater risk of heat-related illness.
Warning Signs of Heat-Related Illness
Heat-related illnesses range in severity from mild heat syncope (sudden dizziness from being active in hot weather) that is easily treated by cooling off and hydrating, to heatstroke, which can be deadly without emergency medical care.
Before heatstroke, your body will give you warning signs by causing you to experience heat exhaustion.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include:
- Feeling thirsty
- Heat rash (skin irritation from sweating)
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Moist, yet cool skin
- Elevated pulse
If heat exhaustion goes untreated, it can develop into heatstroke. Heatstroke is always a medical emergency, and requires immediate medical attention.
Heatstroke symptoms may include:
- Body temperature above 104 degrees
- Feeling faint (or fainting)
- Abnormal behavior
- Dry and flushed skin
- Disorientation
- Not sweating despite the hot temperature
- Abnormal pulse
Tips To Help Seniors Avoid Becoming Overheated and Staying Cool in the Utah Summer
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following strategies can help prevent seniors from overheating, and explains the dangers associated with heat-related illnesses:
Stay Hydrated and Well-Nourished
Aging can inhibit the body’s ability to feel thirsty, leading to seniors needing to maintain regular fluid intake, regardless of whether or not they feel thirsty. In general, adhering to the eight cups of water per day rule should suffice. However, it’s always best to consult your physician for individual fluid recommendations based on your health needs.
Bonus tips for increasing fluid intake:
- Infuse your water with fruits, herbal teas, or drink flavored water to avoid boredom.
- Set reminders to hydrate on phones, Post-it notes, etc. (Caregivers should set reminders to remind patients).
- Alternate water with 100% fruit or vegetable juices, milk, and broths for variety.
- Keep water-rich fruits and veggies in the house, such as watermelon, cucumbers, celery, strawberries, and cantaloupe to snack on.
- Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine (diuretic), salty snacks, overexertion, and the outdoors during the peak of the heat.
Dress and Equip for the Heat
During the summer months, it is best to dress in light-colored clothing that is lightweight and breathable.
Other heat and sun protection strategies include:
- Wearing sunglasses and/or wide-brimmed hats.
- Always wear sunblock when spending time outdoors (SPF 30+ or higher).
- Take advantage of cooling equipment, such as personal fans, portable air conditioners, and cooling towels.
Bonus tip: For seniors dealing with dementia, consider putting warm clothes in storage, so patients only have easy-to-layer summer clothes available to them, so as to not overwhelm them with choices.
Create a Cool and Safe Living Environment
For particularly hot days, ensuring that a senior’s living space is ready to stay as cool as they will need is a must. Before those hot days sneak up on you, consider the following options for a safe and cool environment:
- Keep curtains closed on hot days.
- Avoid using the stove or oven during the peak of the heat.
- Have fans set up for air circulation.
- Schedule air conditioning maintenance before the summer rush.
- Have a backup plan for if you lose power during a heat wave.
- For seniors living in assisted living or a short-term rehabilitation facility, inquire about the facility’s cooling system, and what the plan is if it fails during a heat wave.
- Ensure your family member has access to a safe place before a heatwave takes place.
Plan Smart Outdoor and Indoor Activities
When planning activities in the summertime, it is best to:
- Plan any outdoor activities for the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak of the Utah heat and sun exposure.
- Never wait in a hot car and ensure any car you ride in has working AC.
- Focus on indoor activities during the peak of the heat, such as crafts, listening to music, reading, yoga, or watching a movie with a friend.
- Plan social activities in cool environments, such as watching a movie at the local movie theater, going to an air-conditioned Bingo event, or looking into your local senior center.
Check In and Stay Connected
Whether it’s a family member or a close friend, choose someone to check in with daily during the summer months to ensure you’re both handling the heat, and are prepared before the peak of the heat every day. For caregivers, consider getting your loved one a smartphone and providing regular wellness checks.
In Utah, there are also a plethora of community-based services you can and should take advantage of to beat the heat, such as:
Summertime can be tough for seniors. Luckily, by preparing, banding together, and taking advantage of local services, seniors can have a safe and enjoyable summer. If you or a loved one is still struggling with the tools necessary for coping with the Utah summer heat, contact Monument Health Group for more information on your options for personalized care plans.
Are you looking for short-term rehabilitation services in Utah? Check out Monument Health Group today.
Sources:
Drink Up: The Connection Between Age and Dehydration. (2023).
Heat Exhaustion. (2023).
Hot Weather Safety for Older Adults. (2022).
Summer Weather in Salt Lake City. (n.d.).