Elder Law FAX -- July 25, 2005

Helping Elders Beat the Heat
Last week over a dozen people in Phoenix, many of them elderly, perished in the extreme heat that blistered that large desert city. In Port Royal, South Carolina, Margie Smith was sweltering in her home until a group of local police officers stepped in to help.

Two small fans were the only things keeping the elderly Ms. Smith cool. "I had two fans, but all the air coming out was hot," she said.

So she had to improvise a little. "She'd have to come out in the yard at night to get under the tree, where there was a cool breeze," Capt. Roger Karr with the Port Royal Police Department told Channel 11 news in Savannah, Georgia. "It was just too hot in that house."

The Port Royal police stepped in. "I was notified yesterday that she had no air conditioning," Capt. Karr said. "I came over here and it was like 125 degrees." So after Lowe's donated an air conditioner, they installed it. "It feels real good," said Smith. "I slept good last night."

Public officials in Chicago are making preparations for the city's own heat wave. "As everyone learned a decade ago, the combination of extreme heat and humidity is not only uncomfortable, it can also be dangerous and deadly," said Dr. William Paul, acting commissioner of public health.

Dr. Paul referred to the heat wave of July 1995, when temperatures rose to 106 degrees and more than 700 people in Chicago died from heat-related problems. The city has established 24-hour "cooling centers."

Government authorities in El Paso, Texas, have set up a Buddy System to help people look out for each other. Officials also suggest creating and maintaining an emergency kit that should contain: water (3 gallons per person), non-perishable foods, a first-aid kit, flashlights, a portable radio and batteries.

Surviving extreme heat poses special problems for older people, says the Harvard Health Letter.

The online newsletter from Harvard Medical School offers some tips for elders who are facing another hot summer without relief.

Killer heat waves may become more common. Global warming is one part of the problem. Another part is the growing number of people who are more vulnerable to the heat because they're older and heavier.

Thirst declines with age, and older sweat glands don't produce as much sweat as they used to. The sweat that is produced tends to contain more salt, and lack of salt in the body can lead to sudden drops in blood pressure.

Older people are also more likely than younger folks to be taking medications that cause fluid loss (and therefore dehydration), including some laxatives, furosemide (Lasix) to counteract water retention, and other diuretics for blood pressure control.

The elderly are 15 times more likely to have heat stroke than younger people when the temperature soars.

Besides heading for the air conditioning, staying out of the sun, and wearing loose, light clothes, Harvard Medical School recommends you take these steps:

Listen to your body. Muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, impaired concentration, confusion, lightheadedness, nausea, labored breathing, chest discomfort, and a rapid or erratic pulse can all be signs of trouble. If you feel ill -- even just a little -- get to a cool place, drink plenty of cool water, and seek medical help if you don't improve promptly.

Check up on a neighbor. Social isolation is a major risk factor for heat-related illness and death.

Review your medications. Painkillers, for example, can reduce awareness of the heat. Talk to your doctor about your medications if temperatures are climbing, especially if you're not protected by air conditioning.

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