The elderly receiving senior at home care need to take extra caution when dealing with high temperatures of summer. The fact that a senior is receiving care at home means they need a little extra attention.  The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some advice for helping older people avoid heat-related illnesses, known collectively as hyperthermia, during the summer months.  Hyperthermia can include heat stroke, heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after exercising in the heat), heat cramps and heat exhaustion. The risk for hyperthermia is a combination of the outside temperature along with the general health and lifestyle of the individual.

Health-related factors that may increase risk include:

•    Age-related changes to the skin such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands.
•    Heart, lung and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.
•    High blood pressure or other conditions that require changes in diet. For example, people on salt-restricted diets may increase their risk. However, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a doctor.
•    The inability to perspire caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers and certain heart and blood pressure drugs.
•    Taking several drugs for various conditions. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.
•    Being substantially overweight or underweight.
•    Drinking alcoholic beverages.
•    Being dehydrated
Heat stroke is an advanced form of hyperthermia that occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and unable to control its temperature. Someone with a body temperature above 104 degrees is likely suffering from heat stroke and may have symptoms of confusion, combativeness, strong rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, faintness, staggering, possible delirium or coma. Because seniors receiving at home care may already have some of these symptoms, it can be difficult to determine that heat is affecting them. Seek immediate medical attention for a person with any of these symptoms, especially an older adult.

If you suspect that someone is suffering from a heat-related illness:
•    Get the person out of the sun and into an air-conditioned or other cool place.
•    Offer fluids such as water, fruit and vegetable juices, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
•    Encourage the individual to shower, bathe or sponge off with cool water.
•    Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists, neck, armpits, and/or groin, places where blood passes close to the surface and the cold cloths can help cool the blood.
•    Urge the person to lie down and rest, preferably in a cool place.

Seniors are especially prone to complications related to exposure to excessive heat. Now that we are in the midst of our summer weather, seniors and their family and friends should be aware of the risks to older citizens during excessively hot weather. You may hear that a “heat advisory” or “excessive heat advisory” has been issued by the national weather service. But exactly what does that means?
A Heat Advisory is issued when there is a heat index of 105 degrees Fahrenheit but less than 115 degrees Fahrenheit for less than 3 hours per day or nighttime lows above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. An Excessive Heat Warning is issued when the heat index is at least 105 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 3 hours per day for 2 consecutive days, or when the heat index is more than 115 degrees Fahrenheit for any period of time.
General symptoms of heat-induced illness include:
•    increased body temperature
•    extremely hot and dry skin
•    strong, rapid pulse rate
•    throbbing headache

•    dizziness
•    vomiting
•    nausea
Additionally, seniors should be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat Exhaustion symptoms include:
•    heavy sweating
•    weakness
•    skin cold, pale and clammy
•    weak and shallow pulse
•    vomiting and fainting possible
The following are symptoms of Heat Stroke:
•    high body temperature (106 degrees or higher)
•    skin hot and dry
•    rapid and strong pulse
•    possible unconsciousness
*Heat Stroke is a Severe Medical Emergency* Seek help immediately.
Older people don’t adjust well to extreme heat. This is due to increased heat production and a lessened ability to dissipate heat. Medications can also cause an older adult to have trouble tolerating heat, therefore causing the heart to become overworked in its efforts to assist in the body’s cooling system. It’s a good idea for friends, neighbors, and relatives to check in on seniors during extreme temperatures.
Here are some tips for seniors dealing with the heat.
•    Drink plenty of water. Drink 2-4 cups of fluid per hour. If you are going out, take a water bottle with you. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
•    Eat smaller, lighter meals
•    Keep your home cool with air conditioning or a fan. If you don’t have air conditioning or a fan, go to a place that does such as your local senior center, mall, library, movie theater, or place of worship.
•    Wear loose fitting, lightweight clothing. When outside, wear a hat and sunscreen
•    Avoid exercise or exertion, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
•    Be aware that some of your medications may cause greater sun sensitivity. Consult your doctor about your medications and the heat

Senior at home care helps seniors remain independent and comfortable living at home. It may consist of home health care or companion care. Home health care is typically more medically oriented and has a nurse to supervise a certified home health aide while companion care for seniors is considered non-medical care.

If the needs of the senior are more of the medical nature, at home care for seniors is often paid for through insurance or Medicare. Companion care is almost always a private pay situation unless a long term care insurance plan is involved. There are certain programs such as the VA Aide and Attendance benefit which is available to qualifying veterans to help them pay for residential home care services.

Companies such as CareGrade have been developed to help consumers sort through the maze of options and locate quality senior care services. This free service puts you in touch with a professional care adviser who will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

There are numerous choices for an individual looking for home care seniors in New Jersey.  As the baby boomers have aged, the demand for home health care has skyrocketed.  Providing senior assistance has become very vogue and companies with no experience are popping up all over the place. So how does a person sort through all the choices? Services like CareGrade utilize advisers who have personally visited companies and know how to tell the good from the bad. They write reviews on each potential new business and select only the best to refer to their clients.  Clients are given these reviews to help them make an informed decision.

These advisers are available free of charge to the consumers looking for senior at home care.  They work with individuals discovering what unique needs they require, then make a perfect match to the service that best suites them.  Seniors in  need of home care now have an easy and trusted resource to help them and their children make the best choice.