Kate Silver writes about health, travel and lifestyle for The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, The Telegraph and other publications.
Whether walks by the lake or alfresco dinners, Chicagoans look forward to summer all year. But on hot days, it’s important to take precautions, because too much heat can be risky for older adults, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA).
As the days heat up, NIA offers the following advice for older adults to chill out.
Drink up.
Make sure you’re consuming lots of liquids, including water and juice while keeping caffeine and alcohol at bay. If your doctor has told you to limit liquids, ask how much you should drink when it’s hot.
Stay cool.
If you have access to air conditioning, don’t be afraid to use it. If not, plan outings to cool places or contact your local health department to find air-conditioned shelter.
Ask for help.
If you’re feeling dizzy, nauseous, confused or have a headache, it could be related to the heat. Talk to a healthcare professional immediately to find out if you need treatment.
