If you’ve endured a Floridian summer before, you know how draining the heat and humidity can be this time of year. If you haven’t had this unique pleasure, imagine the air around you as the following: heavy, hot, sticky, and exhausting. While this weather isn’t exclusive to the Sunshine State, the duration and intensity merit additional consideration. It often feels like our summers last from mid-May through November!
Despite this, summer in Florida is a great time to enjoy the outdoors as long as precautions are taken. High heat means everyone needs to look out for heat-related illnesses like dehydration and heat stroke. Older adults are at an even higher risk due to decreased sensation of thirst, forgetting to drink water, trouble obtaining or communicating needs, and toileting concerns. Some chronic health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity can exacerbate those risks. Dehydration is especially bad news for older adults, as it can increase the length of hospital stays, leading to disability or even mortality (Hooper & Bunn, 2015).
Caregivers play an essential role in ensuring clients drink enough liquids. Older adults of varying cognitive levels consume more fluids when verbally prompted and when provided with fluids of their liking (Simmons, Alessia, & Schnelle, 2001). Elderly clients may not have anyone else around to help them in this regard, and spouses may also be forgetful. By simply reminding and making fluids accessible, caregivers decrease the risk of dehydration in their clients.
Thanks to our friends at Family Focused Home Health Care for this information