Deposit Photos
Early morning in July. It’s not even 9 a.m., and the the air is so heavy and sticky that even a short walk around the block is a trial. By the time you get home, you’re sweaty, tired, and reaching for your water bottle. That’s what it looks like for many people who struggle with high heat, which can hit senior citizens especially hard.
If you’re 65 and over, the summers in Atlanta make everything harder.
At any age, those temperatures may be uncomfortable, but the dangers of heat increase as you get older. According to the CDC, people aged 65 years or older are more prone to heat-related health problems.
For seniors, the heat might change the day entirely, because they need to plan everything around it.
Why do summers feel so exhausting?
The temperature itself is just half the story.
The humidity here changes everything because when the temperature is high, and there’s a lot of humidity in the air, sweat can’t do its job properly. It doesn’t dry off the skin like it should, which means it doesn’t cool you down; it just makes you feel sticky while you still feel insanely hot.
This is a lot for everyone, but especially for older people. Your body can’t cool down like they used to. You might not even feel thirsty, and yet, you could be completely dehydrated. By the time mental confusion sets in, the heat has already done a good deal of damage.
And the heat doesn’t go disappear after the sun goes down.
All that pavement and concrete brick soak up the heat during the day and slowly release it during the night. So after dark, the temperature could still be 85 degrees, and the air feels just as sticky as it did at noon. Summer storms can help for about 5 minutes, but after they pass, it’s even worse because of the added humidity.
How do daily routines change in summer?
Why doesn’t Grandpa just move into assisted living? That way, everything they need is on site and they don’t have to venture out for errands and groceries. If only that were the case.
Just take a look at all the cases a Georgia nursing home abuse attorney has to deal with on a daily basis, plus the high cost of facilities that house seniors, and it’s clear why so many seniors are living independently or with family.
Seniors can cope with the heat by changing their routines in summer.
Here’s how.
• Do errands early in the day
Head out as early as possible to run errands or get groceries.
Mid-afternoon is often the peak temperature of the day, and with the sun high in the sky, there is less shade.
• Plan activities indoors
When you have cabin fever and need to get out of the house for awhile, head to the movies, the library, the mall, or a community center.
• Consider transportation options
Waiting for the bus on hot, sticky days can be very uncomfortable.
If you have an afternoon appointment, consider using a ride-share service or asking a friend or neighbor to drive you.
There are some perks to getting older, but living through summer isn’t one of them. Stay cool and hydrated during hot weather, and plan around the heat.
