Q. We recently visited my elderly mother-in-law over the holiday weekend. While it was wonderful to see her, my family and I spent most of the time literally sweating out the visit. I mean, it was almost cooler outside than it was inside her small home. My husband adjusted the thermostat to give us a reprieve from the heat, only to discover that my mother-in-law turned the air conditioning off later in the evening. I know that older adults typically feel colder, and I realize that she isn’t very active, as she spends most of her day in a recliner in her home. I worry about her health in the heat of summer. Am I being over-concerned, or can older adults suffer heat strokes even when indoors?
A. Thank you for bringing this topic to the public’s attention. Your mother-in-law is fortunate to have a concerned daughter-in-law looking out for her health. It’s typical for older adults to feel cooler due to the thinning of their skin, slower metabolism, lower energy levels or inactivity, and less adequate fat storage. In addition, many older adults grew up without the convenience of air conditioning and probably don’t think much about not running it. Some are even concerned about the cost of air conditioning in relation to their tight budget.
However, hot indoor temperatures are extremely dangerous and put older adults at risk for suffering a heat stroke. In fact, adults over the age of 50 are at more risk for heat stroke, so it’s not just a concern for elderly adults. Indoor temperatures can get just as hot, or even hotter, than temperatures outdoors, especially when there’s poor ventilation. What’s even more scary is that older adults are less likely to notice that the indoor temperature is in the danger zone. As they sit idly in their indoor space, they don’t notice that the temperature is gradually rising. They can then quickly dehydrate from the heat or have heat stroke symptoms that land them in the emergency room.
In order to prevent your mother-in-law from suffering a heat stroke, remind her to turn on her air conditioning, especially on hot, summer days. She doesn’t need to feel like she’s living in a refrigerator, but she does need to keep her home cool. Consider installing a smart thermostat so that you or your husband can monitor her home temperatures from the convenience of your smart phone. Smart thermostats allow you to set parameters, so that when her home reaches a certain temperature, it will automatically kick on. You can even control it from your smart phone so if she forgets to turn her AC on, you can turn it on for her.
Other precautions to take include improving room ventilation, by running a ceiling or floor fan, and/or installing quality window coverings. Blackout curtains can help save a lot of money in energy bills while keeping the hot sun rays out. Finally, ensure that your mother-in-law drinks plenty of water throughout the day. Even inactive seniors need to stay hydrated, especially during the hot summer season.
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