The temperature is heating up, and that can make it difficult for seniors to stay cool. If your senior parent doesn’t have air conditioning or uses window units for cooling during the summer they could be at risk for heat stroke and other heat related illnesses. Seniors who live in warm climates really should have some kind of air conditioning to help them avoid heat related illness but there are ways for seniors to stay cool at home without air or with only window unit cooling this summer.
Keep The Curtains Shut During The Day
A fantastic way to bring down the temperature inside the house is to invest in thermal curtains and keep them closed during the day. Thermal room darkening curtains have a special fabric backing that reflects the sun’s rays back so that they don’t get trapped in the house and make the house hotter. They can also help insulate windows and keep cool air from leaking out. Getting thermal curtains and keeping them closed during the day can drop the temperature inside the house by up to five degrees during the hottest part of the day.
Close Off Rooms
Closing off rooms that aren’t being used can help keep the rooms that are being used cool. Seniors that use window air conditioning units should shut off any rooms that don’t have a window unit in them so that they aren’t trying to cool off other rooms that they’re not using. By putting a window air conditioning unit in the important rooms like the living room and bedroom there’s a better chance that seniors will be able to stay cool in those rooms. Using large oscillating fans to circulate that cold air through the open rooms can help cool the inside of the house as well.
Drink Lots Of Cool Water
Seniors can get dehydrated very quickly in the heat. That’s why seniors should be drinking lots of cool water when the temperature is warm. But drinking that cool water can also help lower the body temperature and keep seniors comfortably cool throughout the day. Adding some fruit to the water or some herbal tea bags can make for a very refreshing cool drink that will help seniors stay cool all day. Elder care providers can help seniors come up with new and refreshing cool drinks to try.
Use Cold Towels And Cloths
A smart way to stay cool is wetting towels or wash cloths and putting them in the freezer. Then whenever it’s too hot take out a cold cloth and put it on the back of the neck, on the wrists, or behind the knees. Applying something cold to those areas will help seniors cool off and can prevent heatstroke. Elder care providers can help seniors make sure they always have cold cloths ready to switch out when the ones they are using warm up to room temperature.
