Senior Care Houston TX: The Dangers of Overheating in Older Adults
Hot weather can have a dire effect on senior health because the aging body has a harder time regulating its internal temperature. Do you know what steps to take to avoid overheating?

By Krisha McCoy, MS

Too much heat can be dangerous at any age, but as you get older, your body has an even harder time dealing with extreme heat, putting you at a higher risk of overheating and heat stroke. You can reduce this risk by taking a few steps to protect your health when the weather is hot.

Why Overheating Is More Common in Seniors

Your brain sends special signals to your body when it begins to overheat. The signals prompt your body to release hormones that cause you to sweat. Think of sweating as your body’s central air-conditioning system, cooling you down both at the skin surface and internally as your body temperature decreases. But sometimes it gets too hot for this cooling mechanism to work, and it can become less efficient as you get older. A number of factors can put you at higher risk of overheating as you age, including:

• Decreased blood circulation
• Sweat glands that have become inefficient
• Weakness or fever due to age-related illness (such as heart, lung, or kidney disease)
• A salt-restricted diet for high blood pressure
• Certain medications (such as heart and blood pressure drugs, sedatives, and tranquilizers)
• Being overweight or underweight
• Lifestyle factors that range from living in a hot home and overdressing to a lack of transportation

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For more information about senior care and how our caregivers can help you stay comfortably in your home, contact At Your Side Home Care at 832-271-1600.

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.

Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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