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When temperatures rise, older people are among those most likely to become sick and die from the damaging effects of heat. Of the estimated 12,000 people in the U.S. who die from heat-related causes each year, 80 percent are over age 60. It’s clear that senior adults are most vulnerable to the stresses of heat. This article will explore how heat affects older adults while offering ways to stay safe during the heat waves of summer.
Biological factors play a role in the dangers of high temperatures when you’re over 60. Even if you’re healthy, it can be difficult to discern when it’s too hot or that you’re becoming dehydrated. This means you may be slower to take measures to protect yourself from the heat or intake more fluids.
To make matters worse, as you age, your body holds more heat as temperatures increase. This is because your glands don’t release as much sweat as when you were younger, so your internal cooling system isn’t as effective or efficient. Additionally, your blood circulation diminishes with age, which means less heat is released from your blood vessels through your skin.
Medications can also make you more heat intolerant as an older adult. If your doctor makes you aware of this and offers insight in how to manage this side effect, the problem can be overcome. You don’t necessarily have to choose between your medication and heat safety.
You may experience several of these symptoms when you are overheated:
Heat exhaustion happens when your body can no longer cool itself. You can address the situation by removing yourself to a cool environment, loosening your clothes or putting on cooler clothes. You can also try taking a cool bath. Some people find it helpful to drink a sports beverage that contains electrolytes. This can hydrate your body more rapidly than water alone.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
Heat stroke surpasses heat exhaustion and is a medical emergency. If you suspect a heat stroke, call 911 immediately. Get to a cooler place and put on cooler clothes. Do NOT have anything to drink, as this could make the problem worse.
Symptoms of a heat stroke include:
It’s best to avoid direct sun and stay inside an air conditioned building when it’s especially hot outside. Try planning your outdoor activities for early in the morning and finish by 10 a.m. If morning isn’t ideal, you can plan to be outdoors as the sun starts to set. Otherwise, stay where there is air conditioning. If you don’t have air conditioning or can’t afford it, spend some time in places that do, especially when there is a heat wave. You could read a book at the library, walk at an indoor mall, or meet your friend for ice coffee.
This is another obvious one, but it can also slip your mind if you’re not making an effort to pay attention to your fluid intake. Ensure you drink plenty of cool or cold water, clear juices, electrolyte drinks, or anything that is alcohol and caffeine free. Both alcohol and caffeine are diuretics that expel fluid from your body. They counteract hydration.
Most experts agree that you should drink one-third to one half your body weight in ounces each day. During the summer, it’s best to drink at the higher end of the range to prevent dehydration.
It’s best to wear looser, light-colored clothes that are also lighter in weight. These materials are more breathable, so they don’t trap heat. And the lighter colors reflect more of the sun’s energy rather than absorbing it like darker colors. It’s also a good idea to wear a broad-brimmed hat if you’re in the sun.
Use broad spectrum sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher. You may choose a lotion or a spray, but what’s most important is that you apply it liberally to all sun-exposed skin. While you’re aware that sunscreen helps protect your skin from damaging UV rays and sunburns, you might not realize that it can also help prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
When you’re feeling too warm, take a cool (but not too cold) shower or bath. This can help to regulate your system and bring relief to the discomfort. If you’re short on time or have another reason for not wanting to get completely wet, you can apply cool, wet washcloths to key areas like your wrists, ankles, neck, and armpits.
The best way to beat the heat this summer is to be conscious of outdoor temperatures, sun exposure, and your own body’s reactions. Remember that you may not recognize your overheating until you are already dehydrated or experiencing heat exhaustion symptoms. So it’s best to stay proactive and be sure you’re dressing for the heat, staying hydrated, using sunscreen, and applying cool water when needed.
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From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your support as a valued sponsor means more to me and our team at My Care Finders than words can truly express. This open house and ribbon-cutting celebration is such a special milestone not just for our business, but for the community were so honored to serve. And it wouldnt be possible without you. Your belief in what we do helping families navigate senior care with compassion, clarity, and purpose is what fuels us every day. Knowing that we have partners like you standing beside us makes all the difference. Were expecting a wonderful turnout, and we truly believe this will be a joyful, memorable event for everyone involved. Light bites, music, laughter, and connection a true celebration of community. Attached is our event flyer created by Jesse, the owner of My Sanctuary of Wellness. A HUGE shoutout to Jesse for your patience and constantly updating the flyer when needed Thank you Jesse!!!!! Please be sure to bring your own table and chairs. Wed love it if you could help us spread the word by sharing it on Facebook and other social media outlets, along with your friends, family, colleagues, and even your patients. The more, the merrier! Lets make this an unforgettable evening. Additionally, our assistance, Becca will be sending each of you our w-9, along with an invoice for the event. Thank you again for being such an important part of this journey. I cant wait to celebrate with you!With sincere gratitude,Heather Tetrault
BrightStar Care of Venice & Port Charlotte- has won Best of Home Care Leader of Excellence , Provider of Choice and Employer of Choice for 2025 by Home Care Pulse. These are difficult awards. We are very proud of them.We can help your patients whenever they need home care to stay safe at home. No minimums- 1hr up to 24/7 careJoint Commission Gold Seal of Approval Our BrightStar Care location has earned accreditation from the Joint Commission, which validates that we follow their requirements for the highest level of safety and care.Best of Home Care Leader in Experience 2025 Recognizes our location as earning satisfaction levels in the top 5% based on caregiver training, compassion and communication.Best of Home Care Provider of Choice 2025 Indicates high satisfaction levels of our clients regarding our trustworthiness and ability to provide outstanding in-home care.Best of Home Care Employer of Choice 2025 Happy employees deliver better care. This award distinguishes us as best-in-Class for caregiver satisfaction. The Joint Commission Enterprise Champion for Quality Because of the commitment to quality standards from our local offices, were the only national home care brand that consistently earns the Enterprise Champion for Quality award from the Joint Commission. This independent, nonprofit organization accredits the nations best hospitals and major health care systems.
Your chronological age and your biological age dont necessarily match. Around the ages of 44 and 60 the aging process accelerates in what has been dubbed a biomolecular shift, which dramatically impacts health and internal aging. Researchers discovered these two bursts of aging during the human lifespan, singling out the mid-forties and early sixties as key periods. But the greater shift in biological aging happens during your early sixties.However, out of this seemingly bad news is some hope. Now that science has pinpointed when these changes occur, it could help researchers uncover what is driving chronic disease as we age, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis or even strategies for prevention. So exactly what is going on during these periods of rapid biological aging, how do they impact health, and what can you do to be proactive? Lets break it down.Aging Isnt Primarily GradualYou can no longer assume that aging happens gradually. Ever notice that some people seem to age overnight or are really showing their age? While there is obviously gradual decline, more dramatic changes happen quickly and during certain periods of life. It all comes down to the molecules that make up your physical body. These individual molecules are what age, and studies reveal that they undergo greater change at certain ages, making aging non-linear or not so much gradual over time.How Periods of Rapid Biological Aging Impact HealthIn both your mid-forties and early sixties most people experience molecular level changes related to skin and muscle aging, cardiovascular disease, and the metabolizing of caffeine. This is why people tend to start or increase cholesterol or blood pressure medications during these times of life.Researchers also noted differences between the two periods of biological aging. People in their forties had a greater shift in relation to fat and alcohol metabolism, while those in their sixties underwent shifts related to immune regulation, carbohydrate metabolism, and kidney function.These facts seem to correlate with experience as many people in their sixties are less able to fight off sickness and are even more prone to weight gain and kidney trouble or even kidney failure. Cancer rates tend to spike around this time as the immune system is less able to fend off the invasive cancer cells. Cases of heart disease also rise during this time as people struggle more with their weight and rising cholesterol levels.Less expected, however, was the evidence of rapid aging during the mid-forties. But it becomes more understandable as you consider what characterizes the lives of most people during this life stage. Lifestyle makes a difference and life moves at a rapid pace during your forties. Often this is a time of busy family and work schedules, high work stress, divorce, and weight gain. You often have less time for self-care during these frantic years, and all combined, this shifts your body into a period of rapid molecular aging.Combat Biological Aging with Proactive StepsYou obviously cant stop the aging process but its possible to slow it down. The steps to achieve this arent all new or innovative. In fact, it involves putting common knowledge into practice which many people resist, at least until later life. Here are some unsurprising practical tips for slowing biological aging: Avoid weight gainEat more fruits and vegetablesControl diabetes and high blood pressureStay physically activeDont smoke And the way to prevent or avoid diabetes and high blood pressure is to limit sugar, processed carbohydrates, and saturated fats. If youre in your 40s, in addition to the above, its also beneficial to monitor and minimize your cholesterol levels, exercise to build muscle mass, and limit or avoid alcohol. For additional ways to combat aging, read our article, How to Live Longer: 12 Life-Boosting Habits to Start NowThe best rule of thumb is not to wait until your health begins to decline before making these changes. Adjust your lifestyle while youre still healthy, and you will see the biggest payoff. However, its never too late to start living with your health in mind, because changes at any stage will make a positive difference.Key Takeaways About Biological Aging in Your 40s and 60sScience previously thought that the human body aged gradually in linear fashion, but recent studies show that aging on a molecular level occurs rapidly during the mid-forties and early sixties. During your forties, this change is often due to lifestyle changes that can be altered for better outcomes. You can slow the aging process during midlife with regular exercise and a diet rich in produce and low in saturated fat and processed carbohydrates.
It takes collaboration of great minds, a great passion and great brand to successfully foster our global mission to empower the over 33 million Americans suffering from urinary incontinence and the many challenges it can bring to make a smart product choice as their incontinence solution. We are honored to showcase our product and to continuously raise the standards of our customer experience, improve the quality of their life andEmpower their Health.Inspiring a healthier life for everyone, everyday. Contact Julie Wolf today your local Tye Medical Professional in Florida directly at252-292-8744
It takes collaboration of great minds, a great passion and great brand to successfully foster our global mission to empower the over 33 million Americans suffering from urinary incontinence and the many challenges it can bring to make a smart product choice as their incontinence solution. We are honored to showcase our product and to continuously raise the standards of our customer experience, improve the quality of their life andEmpower their Health.Inspiring a healthier life for everyone, everyday. Contact Julie Wolf today your local Tye Medical Professional in Florida directly at252-292-8744
It takes collaboration of great minds, a great passion and great brand to successfully foster our global mission to empower the over 33 million Americans suffering from urinary incontinence and the many challenges it can bring to make a smart product choice as their incontinence solution. We are honored to showcase our product and to continuously raise the standards of our customer experience, improve the quality of their life andEmpower their Health.Inspiring a healthier life for everyone, everyday. Contact Julie Wolf today your local Tye Medical Professional in Florida directly at252-292-8744