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| LIFE IN SOLERA | JULY 2022 | 9 Solera CERT Cadre How to Help an Older Adult Avoid Heat-Related Illness As a friend, family member, or caregiver, you can help an older adult avoid heat-related illness during the warmer months. Some things you can do are: • Know what medicines they are taking and find out if they affect body temperature. • Call or connect regularly and ask if they are cool enough. Listen for patterns or shared concerns. Consider having a remote body or home temperature sensor or monitor installed. • If you don't live nearby, have the contact information for someone who and who can regularly check in on them. • Complete a care plan together to provide structure and direction. The care plan should include ways to stay cool during extreme heat and should note if any medicines the person takes may affect body temperature regulation. • If you are the one checking in on older adult, make sure they • Stay hydrated • Have the living space set to a comfortable temperature • Know how to stay cool during extreme heat • Don't show signs of heat stress • Seek medical care immediately if the person has symptoms of heat-related illness like muscle cramps, dizziness, headaches, nausea, weakness, or vomiting. How to Stay Cool If You Are an Older Adult • Drink water regularly. Do NOT wait until you're thirsty to start drinking water. • Avoid using your oven or stove to prepare meals. • Wear loose-fitting clothes. • Take showers to cool down. • Maintain the heating and air conditioning system in your home, so your home cools properly. • If you don't have air conditioning, consider staying with a friend or family member during a heatwave. It may be enough to take an "air conditioning break" at a local mall or library during the heat of the day. • Don't overwork yourself, and make sure you rest. • Have others check up on you, and vice versa. • Wear sunscreen and clothing to protect yourself from sunburns, which make it hard for your body to cool down. • When outside in the heat, wear a hat, try to stay in the shade, and move slowly so you won't become overheated. • Seek medical care immediately if you have symptoms of heat- related illness like muscle cramps, dizziness, headaches, nausea, weakness, or vomiting. Learn more at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to- prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/heat-wave-safety. html Solera CERT is here to empower residents through education and training. Our focus is making our community safer, stronger, and prepared https://www.solera-cert.info.