Published in Pawtucket Times on August 13, 2001

Temperatures reaching the mid-90s, combined with high humidity represent a serious health hazard for seniors.  But many seniors are heeding the advice of experts, gleaned from radio and newspaper articles, about how to cope with the scorching summer heat.

As to the heat wave, “we can’t control it but we certainly can deal with it,” says Pawtucket resident Paul Audette, who notes he has learned how to cope by listening to health experts.

The 71-year old senior staff manager at Pawtucket-based Providence Metalizing has consciously slowed down his activities, is drinking plenty of liquids and is staying out of the hot sun.

During the heat wave, Audette relaxed in the afternoon and goes out later in the evening when it becomes cooler.

Rep. Mabel Anderson, (District 77) also heeds the advice of health experts on radio programs and is coping well with the intense summer heat.

“I stay quiet, avoid going outside to run errands,” says the Pawtucket resident, noting that she drinks plenty of water to keep from becoming dehydrated. 

Anderson’s son, Jon, has also installed an air conditioner in her bedroom.  With three overhead fans in other rooms, Anderson keeps cool and comfortable.

Seniors, small children and the mentally ill are the most susceptible to health problems from the searing summer heat wavers, according to Dr. Patricia Nolan, director of Rhode Island’s Department of Health.

According the Nolan, the early systems of heat-related illnesses include muscle cramps in arms, hands, abdomen and legs.  Muscle cramps are a result of dehydration and salt loss, this being one of the primary problems associated with heat stress.

Additionally, Nolan says that fainting in the heat is another early symptom.

A person who has fainted due to heat should be taken to a cool place and refreshed using a wet cool cloth.  Nolan recommends, “You want to sponge people down and fan them to reduce their body heat,” she says.

Heat exhaustion or heat stroke is a more serious problem related to dehydration caused from high temperatures, Nolan stated.  Feelings of complete exhaustion, confusion, nausea or vomiting are real danger signs, she said.  Treatment involves bringing down the victim’s body temperature by adding fluids through intravenous methods.

To successfully beat the heat, Nola recommends that seniors cut back on outside physical activity and drink plenty of water.

While water is the best fluid to drink on a hot day fruit juice can be considered a viable substitute.  “Cooling off with a cold beer is not the best plan, “Nolan says, because alcohol, coffee tea and soda, loaded with caffeine, can dehydrate you.

Nolan warns that with temperatures in the mid-90s, staying indoors in an uncooled house or apartment is not the best thing for seniors to do.

“Go to an air-conditioned shopping mall, see a movie, visit a restaurant, or get yourself into an air-conditioned space.” She recommends. “If you can do this for an hour on a really hot day you can protect yourself from serious heat-related problems”.

Sometimes seniors get into trouble during days with high temperatures because they just don’t realize the danger, Nolan notes.

During these days it becomes important to monitor your elderly parent or older friends, she says, “Call on them every day to make sure they are coping with the heat.  Take them out to a cool place, like shopping mall, a library or a restaurant to let them cool off.”