It’s Hot Out! Be Careful!

It’s the middle of summer and there is one thing we can all anticipate at this time: it can get very hot outside! It is important to take steps in order to ensure we all stay cool, and this is especially true in our older population, whose health can be more vulnerable to the effects of heat. Here are a few simple tips to help stay cool during these hot summer days and nights:

• Drink at least 4 glasses of water a day – drink regularly even when not thirsty
• Spend at least 2 hours a day in an air-conditioned or cool environment. This can be accomplished as simply as going to the mall, grocery store or to a friend’s or family’s house.
• Have fans indoors – especially important if you don’t have air conditioning
• Soak a washcloth with cold water. Place washcloth on forehead or back of neck. A cheap spray bottle filled with water can also be used to spray mist on exposed skin.
• Take a cool shower at least once a day
• Wear light clothing that breaths easily, such as clothes made of cotton or linen. Avoid clothing made of polyester or wool.
• Let friends or family know how you are doing on a regular basis
• Reduce physical effort
• Keep blinds or curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day to keep the sun’s heat out

Following these simple tips can help everyone stay cool during these hot summer months. Enjoy the warm weather but be careful and be safe!

Laura Choiniere is an occupational therapist working in home care with older adults in the Côte Saint-Luc community of Montreal, Quebec. She holds an undergraduate degree, honours, in Psychology from Concordia University, and she later went on to obtain a Master of Science, Applied in Occupational Therapy from McGill University. Her passion is working with older adults and she hopes to continue to develop expertise in this area.

References:
Pamphlets distributed by Santé et Services sociaux du Québec