Posted on July 8, 2010 - by Nurse Virginia

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE IN THE ELDERLY

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Often the problem is that elderly people don’t want to be a problem and so they don’t want someone called.  They will say they will be just fine even when they are feeling very poorly. The old movies had it right when we saw someone collapse and then a bystander went to get a cool cloth, gave a cool drink, and fanned the person to give them air circulation. They were really doing the right thing.

Signs and symptoms of heat stroke:

• Fast heart beat
• Fast / shallow breathing
• Hot dry skin – (can be cold clammy skin if the person is going into shock)
• Confusion – altered mental state

Elderly at risk for heat stroke:

• Elderly who are socially isolated
• Elderly on diuretics
• Elderly with decreased ability to sweat (diagnosis of hypothyroidism, on a stimulant or one of the many medications that contribute to dehydration by altering salt to water balance)
• Elderly who drink alcohol in warm or hot weather – alcohol is a diuretic
• Elderly who are obese
• Confused Elderly
• Elderly without air-conditioning
• Elder in large crowds where there is little air circulation

Ways to reduce incident of heat stroke:

• Reduce physical activity in hot or humid weather
• Stay well hydrated
• Do outdoor activities during cool time of day

Elderly least likely to develop heat stroke:

• Elderly who are well hydrated – the color of a person’s urine should be light yellow – dark urine is a sign of dehydration
• Elderly who has the ability to sweat
• Elderly who has a good social network
• Elderly who have access to air conditioning

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com