Q. With all the hot weather we’ve been having this summer, I keep seeing warnings on the news about checking on elderly neighbors. I do have some older folks in my neighborhood. What should I be watching for in a heat wave?

A.   We’ve certainly seen some hot days so far this summer. Your instinct to check on your older neighbors is a good one. Extreme weather can be dangerous for us all – but especially so for older adults. As we age, it can be more difficult for our bodies to adjust to sudden temperature changes. Older adults are also more likely to be taking medications that affect the body’s response to temperature, or to have medical conditions that make it difficult to regulate their temperature. That combination can make hot days riskier than they’d be for the rest of us.

On hot days, a little prevention can go a long way. Health experts suggest checking on older family members or neighbors twice a day during heatwaves. If you’re planning on stopping by, here are a few things worth asking.

• What’s the indoor and outdoor temperature? An older adult may be less likely to notice and respond to changes in temperature.
• Are they drinking enough? It’s important to stay hydrated when the weather heats up. Older adults taking water pills or limiting water intake for medical reasons should check with their doctor on how much water they should be drinking.
• Do they have access to air conditioning and/or a cool location? Many older adults on a fixed income either don’t have air conditioning or don’t want to use it to save money. Encourage them to turn it on or move to a cooler spot.
• Do they know where to go if their home is too hot and do they have transportation to a cool location? During the recent heat, many towns in the Merrimack Valley and North Shore have opened cooling centers. Libraries, malls, or a family member’s home could also be cool options.
• How are they feeling? Do they show any signs of heat stress or heat related illness? Watch for dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating, or weakness, which are signs of heat exhaustion. If you notice confusion, a lack of sweating, skin that’s hot or dry, or a rapid pulse, that could mean heat stroke. Call 911 right away if you see those signs.
• Do they have electricity or is there a power outage? If the power goes out, that could affect medical equipment or medications.

Being aware of the older adults in your neighborhood and taking the time to check on them on hot days can go a long way toward keeping them healthy and safe. You’ll be making a difference that’s right in line with the mission of AgeSpan – keeping older adults independent in communities that support them.

Are you caring for an older adult or need help finding healthy aging resources? Our experienced staff is available to help. Visit us online at www.agespan.org. You can also call 800-892-0890 or email info@agespan.org. 

Joan Hatem-Roy is the chief executive officer of AgeSpan, which serves the following cities and towns: Amesbury, Andover, Billerica, Boxford, Chelmsford, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Rowley, Salisbury, Salem, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and West Newbury.