The weather is getting warmer, and summer is right around the corner. That means many opportunities for outdoor fun, get-togethers with friends and family, and patriotic celebration. It also means the potential for serious health challenges, including heat stroke. Elderly adults tend to be vulnerable to serious complications such as heat stroke, and the potentially devastating consequences associated with them. There are many reasons why seniors may be more vulnerable to heat related issues such as heat stroke, including liability issues, cognitive function decline, inability for the body to regulate temperatures properly, and more. As a family caregiver, it’s extremely important for you to understand the dangers associated with extreme heat, the different types of complications that can arise, and how to handle them should your parents suffer a heat-related illness.

Heat stroke is the term applied to the severe overheating of the body. This is the most serious of heat-related injuries, and can be extremely dangerous, even life-threatening. Those who survived heatstroke can suffer damage to the brain, kidneys, muscles, and organs.

Some things you should know about heat stroke include:

  • Heatstroke can occur when the body reaches 104 degrees
  • Dehydration and humidity both dramatically increase the risk of suffering heat stroke
  • More than 650 people throughout the United States die each year as a result of extreme heat injury, such as heat stroke
  • Elderly adults are at the highest risk for suffering heat stroke
  • More men than women suffer heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke each year
  • Serious consequences can be avoided if heat stroke is addressed promptly and effectively

Having a home care provider with your senior during the warmer months of the year can be a highly effective way of protecting your senior from heat-related injury such as heat stroke. This care provider can help your parent make good choices, stay properly hydrated, and move them to a cool location if necessary to help prevent the danger.

As a family caregiver, one of your most important priorities is making sure your aging parents stay safe and healthy, while also encouraging them to maintain an independent and fulfilling lifestyle. While there are many ways you can do this, starting home care for them can be one of the best. An in-home senior care services provider can be with your aging parent on a customized schedule designed to ensure they have continuous access to the level of care that is right for them, while also keeping you at the forefront of their care routine. This means your senior can stay safe, healthy, happy, and comfortable, while also pursuing more activity and allowing you to focus your own energy and effort on all responsibilities in your life in the most effective ways possible. This can relieve stress, support better health and well-being, and encourage a stronger relationship between you and your aging parent.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in St. Louis Park, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.