It’s Hot Outside, so Make Sure Your Mom Stays Cool

The first week of July saw the world break the hottest global temperature since records for global highs have been recorded. A day later, the record was broken again when the global temperature reached 62.92 degrees Fahrenheit.

In southern regions of the U.S., heat waves have been affecting states like Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Florida. The Eastern Seaboard and New England are also experiencing extremely hot weather that isn’t going away. For an older adult, this heat is dangerous.

Your mom lives alone, and you can only check on her with a phone call as you’re on the other side of the country. How do you make sure she’s staying cool when it’s so hot outside?

Is It Time for a New AC?

If your mom’s home doesn’t have central AC, you may want to consider looking into energy-efficient window AC systems. With ENERGY STAR rebates available, she can get an AC system for a lot less. There are also tax incentives for heat pump AC systems if she wants to take advantage of an energy-efficient system for her home.

What If She Doesn’t Have AC?

If your mom doesn’t have an AC system, she can keep her home cooler by closing the blinds and keeping sunlight from warming her rooms. A floor fan or ceiling fans help keep air moving, which will make her rooms feel cooler. If she sits in front of a fan, she’ll feel cooler.

When it’s extremely hot, wearing damp clothing keeps her core body temperature lower. Dampen a T-shirt in the sink and wear that. When it dries out, repeat the process.

She needs to stay hydrated. If she’s on medications to lower fluid retention, talk to her doctor about how much water she should be drinking. If there are no limits, two liters is a good goal, but excessive sweating can increase the amount she needs.

If she doesn’t like drinking a lot of water, stock her refrigerator and fruit bowl with fruits that have high water content. Oranges, berries, watermelon, and cantaloupe are excellent options.

Finally, make sure she stays inside during the hottest times of the day. Generally, this is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If she needs to take a walk, she should go first thing in the morning and after dinner.

Rely on In-Home Care to Support Your Mom

Arrange in-home care services for your mom. You might not live close by, but that doesn’t mean she has to go without anyone checking in for weeks or even months. A caregiver can stop by and make sure her AC is running and that she has access to clean water for showers and staying hydrated.

In-home care aides can clean your mom’s home, take her shopping, and schedule HVAC services if her AC system isn’t working effectively. Learn more about home care services by making a call.

Reference
https://www.cdc.gov/aging/emergency-preparedness/older-adults-extreme-heat/index.html

If you or an aging loved one is considering in-home care in Tempe, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!