Extreme heat creates ‘recipe for disaster’ for vulnerable elderly, warns the expert

The heat of summer can be hard for anyone’s body and mind, but bets are higher for older people.

Extreme heat can accelerate “biological aging” in older individuals, which increases concerns about its impact on long -term health, according to a recent study published in the journal Science Advances.

Dr. Macie P. Smith, a social and gerontologist with a license based in South Carolina, intervened in the relationship between heat and aging in an interview with News Digital. (See the video at the top of this article).

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Older people run the risk of dehydrating, which, when combined with extreme heat, can be a “recipe for disaster”, including events such as heat stroke, he said.

“Dehydration is one of the most common reasons why our elders are hospitalized,” Smith added.

Often, the elderly do not drink enough water because they want to avoid frequent urination, Smith suggested, and the feeling of thirst also fades with age.

“Simply because they are not thirst, they don’t need to hydrate,” he said. “They still need to be well hydrated … especially during extreme heat.”

“When we think of the extreme heat and the effects that it has on the body of a senior … we are also talking about its brain function.”

Certain medications commonly taken by the elderly, such as pills that reduce fluid retention, also known as diuretics or water pills, can further dehydrate the body.

Dehydration can also lead to urinary tract infections (UII), which can have a serious impact on older people, often imitating the symptoms of dementia in late stage or Alzheimer’s disease, Smith said.

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Dehydration signs may include dry mouth, the inability to produce tears and wet skin.

“From Sun-Up to Sundown, you want to make sure you are drinking and eating foods that will ensure that you stay well hydrated and that you are not at risk of hospitalization,” said the expert.

Older people also generally experience a reduction in body and muscle mass, thinner skin and a reduced capacity to regulate body temperature as they age, according to Smith.

The effects of heat can tense the body not only physically, but also cognitively and emotionally, the expert said.

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“Stress ages people prematurely,” said Smith. “When we think of the extreme heat and the effects that it has on the body of a senior … we are also talking about its brain function.”

Smith said that many older people are still very active, and although this should be encouraged, it is also important to take into account the time of day.

“We want to be sure that older people are doing most of their activities during the morning before the extreme heat arrives, which could be as soon as 11 in the morning,” he said.

This advice applies especially to older people living in warmer areas in the United States, such as Florida or Las Vegas.

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“Before going to bed, take stock of what the temperature will be for the next day,” said Smith. “Try your cooling system regularly to make sure it works.”

There are subsidy programs that can help older people to ensure that they have adequate cooling systems in their homes, he said.

For those with an older loved one who may need help during the hot summer months, Smith suggests registering and making sure they live in an environment at an adequate temperature and hydrate properly.

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“You want to find creative ways of being respectful and guaranteeing their independence while ensuring that they maintain a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

“All this helps you get old and not prematurely.”

Khloe Quill de News Digital contributed to this report.