6 tips for older Australians to stay cool and well over Adelaide’s summers
With the fire danger season starting two weeks earlier in Adelaide this year, we’re all getting ready for a hot and dry summer.
Extreme heat can be hazardous to elderly Australians. In preparation for the intensity of our summers and as part of our home care support, we spend time with our clients discussing their individual needs. We make sure they are taking the right precautions to avoid heat exhaustion.
Some early signs of heat exhaustion are:
- Excessive sweating
- Tiredness for no reason
- Weakness in the limbs
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps
Keeping cool and hydrated will alleviate symptoms of heat exhaustion. Here are some tips that we recommend to our home care clients to stay well over summer.
Service your air-conditioning system, preferably in spring
Air conditioning units need a service annually, preferably in spring before the heat sets in. Over the winter when units are dormant, they collect debris which can get stuck in the filters and inlets causing a malfunction.
It’s not unusual for air conditioning repair businesses to be inundated with emergency calls on hot days and often people need to wait in a queue before a service can be done. Your home care package can take care of this.
Keep hydrated
Even though we have all heard it time and time again, staying hydrated is vital to staying well over summer. The body is composed of 65% water and elderly people lose about two litres of water (on average) per day. Our fluid reserves need replenishing regularly.
Staying hydrated will help you to:
- Regulate your temperature
- Support your kidneys to remove toxins
- Minimise the incidence of kidney stones
- Keep your skin supple
- Lubricate your joints and muscles
Do lighter household chores
If you haven’t done the spring clean during spring, then we suggest you leave it for Autumn or when the weather cools down. Even normal house chores should be left for cooler days. Don’t worry about keeping the house spick and span on hot days. Think about your health, avoid chores that work up a sweat and stay indoors to keep cool instead.
Prepare ahead for your medications
If you know that hot weather is on its way, prepare ahead for medications and make sure you have enough to last you a few weeks over summer. This will avoid a frantic rush at the last minute in the heat of the day.
Have the pantry and fridge stocked
Have enough food and groceries at home so that you don’t have to navigate busy crowds at the supermarket on hot days! Your home carer can help you create practical recipes that are suitable for hot weather and will take you grocery shopping too.
Stay cool in your home – use the air conditioning and fans
Even though energy costs have been increasing, hot summer days are definitely the time to turn on the air conditioning. Have your fans going as well to help circulate the air around the room.
If you don’t like the air conditioning on while you sleep, a fan in the room is an effective way to cool down. Open your windows to let fresh air inside.
Interested in applying for a home care package? Call St Louis home care
Call St Louis home care Adelaide on 08 8332 0950 or St Louis home care Victor Harbor on 08 8552 1481. We’ll help you start the application process for a home care package. We’ll also explain the different levels of packages, expected waiting times, the services offered and anything else you need to know to start preparing for some help at home.
