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Beat the Heat - Water and the Elderly

We're coming in to the dog days of summer. 100 Degree days are here to stay for a while. Some people aren't only dealing with the heat outside. Storms and other complications have left lots of people without electricity for air conditioning and other comforts for days. All of these things coming together makes for dangerous times for the elderly.

In the past two days I've had two calls from caregivers concerned because their elders suddenly changed personality. One became psychotic for no apparent reason. The other suddenly was lethargic and very confused. She previously had no real mental problems.

Both of these seniors went to the emergency room and were found to be seriously dehydrated. Both received intravenous fluids and are doing better. But it will take quite a while, if ever, for them to recover completely.

Seniors are vulnerable to heat. Many don't have efficient internal heat regulation, so they don't feel the heat intensely. Many seniors do not sweat as they did when they were younger. Many are taking medications that dehydrate their bodies. Diuretics for high blood pressure remove fluid from the body. Coffee, tea, alcohol and sodas with caffeine are also diuretics that dehydrate the body.

When they have air conditioning, seniors tend to set their thermostats higher than average. Sometimes it's because their internal temperature regulation is off and they don't feel the heat. Often it's to save money on the electricity. They often will run fans instead of lowering their thermostats. The constant flow of air across the body is also dehydrating.

The elderly also tend to lose their sense of thirst, so they aren't prompted by their bodies to drink. Some will resist drinking because of difficulty getting to the bathroom.

Most of our elderly aren't out in the hot sun playing baseball or doing strenuous yard work in the summer. The are less likely to suffer from full-blown heat stroke than younger people. Chronic dehydration is much more common in the elderly.

Be alert for sudden changes in your elder throughout the year. Although dehydration is more common in the summer, it can happen in any season. If you see any of these symptoms, get medical attention right away:

Significant changes in mental state, such as delirium,
confusion or forgetfulness that isn't normal for the individual;
Dizziness;
Constipation and/or unusual lack of appetite.
If your elder resists drinking or tends to forget, try making fluid part of his or her medication schedule. Just as a pill is taken every so many hours, make a drink a scheduled event. Four ounces every 2 hours is usually not so overwhelming. An 8 ounce glass is often much more than a senior will want
to drink at one time. We have also found that room temperature or only slightly cooled fluids are usually preferable to ice cold drinks.

However, flavored ice pops are often a good alternative to a drink. If your elder can't eat one fast enough, break it into a small cup or bowl with high sides and serve it with a spoon.

What Is This Pill?

Did your mother take her pills out of their containers and mix them up? Or maybe you found a pill on the floor and you'd like to know what it is? If you don't have a Pill Book handy with pictures of the most common medications in the U.S. (I strongly recommend that you get one
http://eldercareteam.com/resources/books&more.htm)
you might be able to identify your pill or tablet at
http://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html

Birthdays are good for you. . .The more you have, the longer you live.

Elder CareTip

If you have concerns about your elder's money management, but you aren't ready to take his financial independence away completely, open a separate account with a limited amount of money. He can use that account to write small checks but he can't lose his life savings to a bogus charity or con game.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it to
molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "care tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me leave your name off, that's OK, too.

"Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to the end requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs".

Ralph Waldo Emerson

That's it for now. Have a good weekend, and I'll see
you on August 1.

'Till next time,

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© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze™ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where the material will appear.

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The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
©2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers