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Follow on Google News | Recognize and Prevent Heat-Related Illness in the ElderlyThis summer's high temperatures require extra safety precautions.
By: The CareGiver Partnership Prevention Visit older adults at least twice a day and watch for signs of heat stress. Inform your loved ones of the following preventative steps: • Drink cool (not extremely cold, which can cause cramps), nonalcoholic beverages. Discuss amounts with a health care provider if your loved one is limited in how much he should drink or is taking water pills. • Wear lightweight, breathable clothing. • Rest and avoid strenuous activities. • Stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, preferably in an air-conditioned environment. • Take cool baths or showers. • Never leave an elderly person (or pet or child) in a car if you run into a store. The temperature inside a car can rise 19 degrees within 10 minutes and 29 degrees in 20 minutes. • Do not leave a car running with air conditioning on, because passengers can be exposed to carbon monoxide while sitting inside the car. Heat Exhaustion This heat-related illness can develop after lengthy exposure to high temperatures combined with inadequate or unbalanced fluid replacement. Signs include: • Heavy sweating, paleness or cool, moist skin. • Fast, shallow breathing. • Fast, weak pulse. • Muscle cramps. • Headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting. • Fatigue, weakness or fainting. Heat Stroke The most serious heat-related illness, heat stroke can occur when the body cannot control its temperature and may result in death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Look for: • A body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit. • Red, hot, dry skin that is not sweating. • Rapid, shallow breathing. • A strong and rapid pulse. • Headache, dizziness or nausea. Emergency Treatment If you notice signs of severe heat stress, ask someone to call 911 while you begin cooling efforts. If emergency personnel are delayed, ask someone to call a hospital emergency room. • Get the person to a shaded area. • Cool rapidly, using a tub of cool water, a shower, a garden hose or even a sponge. • Continue these cooling efforts until body temperature drops to at least 101 degrees Fahrenheit. # # # About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wis. Visit http://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353. End
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