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In the hot summer, the temperature is high, such weather is not a trivial matter for the elderly, and many retired teachers, enjoying their old age, may have accidents in the bath due to negligence.
Therefore, as a doctor, I would like to remind the elderly to pay extra attention when bathing, and there are three things that must not be done.
To take a shower unaccompanied, you know? Bathing alone can be very risky, especially for older people who have heart disease or poor balance.
Imagine if there was an old man who used to be a teacher, because he slipped and fell in the bathroom, resulting in a hip fracture, and he was alone in the bathroom, he couldn't get help right away, and when the people found out, it was already hours later.
Such accidents can be completely avoided, as long as you have your family around.
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Avoid using overheated water, many elderly people prefer to use hot water to relieve discomfort because of joint pain, but overheated water can cause a great burden on the heart.
Suppose a retired principal with high blood pressure once developed angina pectoris due to bathing in overheated water, which causes blood vessels to dilate dramatically, affecting heart function, especially in older people.
It is not advisable to take a bath for too long, as a long bath will increase physical exertion, especially in a hot environment, which may lead to dehydration or low blood pressure.
What if there was an old gentleman who used to be a geography teacher? Because he likes to take long hot baths, he almost fainted once, but fortunately, the situation was detected and dealt with in time, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable.
Through these examples, we can see that the elderly need to pay special attention to bathing in hot weather, and the lack of safety measures can not only lead to physical harm, but also can have long-term health effects.
Every elderly person should realize that preventive measures are far more important than treatment. Therefore, all seniors and their families are reminded to follow the above tips to ensure a safe and healthy summer bathing experience.
In addition to bathing, there are some things that elderly people need to pay special attention to during the summer months when temperatures remain high.
The elderly should avoid staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time in the summer, although the air conditioner in modern life provides us with the convenience of escaping the heat, but for the elderly, prolonged exposure to the air-conditioned environment may cause physical discomfort.
The temperature in air-conditioned rooms is usually low, and prolonged exposure to this environment can make older people susceptible to colds, muscle pain, and even aggravate the symptoms of arthritis.
Think of an old gentleman who loves to do Tai Chi and chooses to stay in an air-conditioned room in the summer to escape the heat, but because the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor is too large, he repeatedly catches colds, which affects his daily activities.
When using the air conditioner, the elderly should adjust the room temperature appropriately, avoid direct blowing, and pay attention to the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor is not too large, so as not to feel unwell.
Seniors should pay attention to replenishing the right amount of water and electrolytes in summer, although everyone knows to drink more water, but for the elderly, how to properly hydrate is a science.
Older people's physical functions gradually decline, and their thirst is usually dull, which means that by the time they feel thirsty, the body may have been mildly dehydrated, and older people need more than just water, but also the right amount of electrolytes to maintain a stable internal environment.
For example, imagine an elderly lady who loves gardening and faints in the garden because she neglected to replenish her electrolyte drink at the right time because she was working in the scorching sun, in this case, it is recommended that the elderly drink some sports drinks with electrolytes or homemade salt and sugar water to help replace the lost sodium and potassium.
The elderly need to pay special attention to skin protection in the summer, as the skin of the elderly becomes more fragile and less resistant, and the strong ultraviolet rays in summer will not only accelerate skin aging, but may also cause skin diseases.
Sun protection is more than just applying sunscreen, but also about wearing appropriate long-sleeved clothing and a wide-brimmed hat and avoiding direct sunlight as much as possible.
For example, if there is a grandmother who used to be an art teacher, because she likes to paint outdoors and is often exposed to the sun, she is diagnosed with pre-cancer skin after a few years.
Therefore, the elderly should dress appropriately when going out, use sunscreen with a high SPF value, and try to do outdoor activities in the morning or evening to avoid strong sunlight in the middle of the day.
Through these different perspectives, we can see that in addition to paying attention to bathing safety in summer, the elderly have many other life details that need to be paid attention to.
Taking proper precautions can help them get through the hot summer more safely and comfortably, and every little detail can be the key to protecting your health, and these little things in daily life are often the ones we tend to overlook.
When talking about the threat of heat to the elderly, we often focus on the direct effects of heat stroke or heat stroke.
However, there are also some lesser-mentioned but equally serious indirect effects of heat on older adults, which are often chronic and have far-reaching effects on the quality of life of older adults.
An issue that is often overlooked is the impact of high temperatures on sleep quality in older adults, with the ideal sleeping environment temperature between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius, and summer heat often goes well beyond that, especially in environments without air conditioning.
High temperatures can significantly interfere with deep sleep and REM sleep (rapid eye movement sleep), which is especially detrimental to older people.
Imagine a retired professor who loves to read, due to the high room temperature at night and poor sleep quality for many consecutive nights, gradually developing memory loss and mood swings, which directly affect his daily life.
Therefore, it is recommended that the elderly use air conditioners or fans to maintain a suitable indoor temperature in summer to ensure a good sleep quality.
Prolonged periods of heat can not only cause physical discomfort but may also worsen cognitive dysfunction, especially in older people with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease.
During a heat wave, the brain needs more blood to regulate body temperature, which can lead to reduced blood flow to other parts of the brain, which can affect cognitive function.
There was an old gentleman who liked to play chess, and during a heat wave, he found that his judgment and memory in chess games decreased significantly, because his brain was trying to adapt to the constant heat.
For this reason, it is recommended that older people should minimize going out on hot days, especially during peak heat waves, ensure that there is proper cooling equipment indoors, and maintain adequate water intake to help the brain and body adapt to the heat.
We can see that the threat of heat to older adults goes far beyond the direct physical impact, but also includes potential effects on sleep, cognitive function, and the effects of medications.
These are all issues that we need special attention during the hot summer months. Raising awareness and taking appropriate precautions can help older adults get through the summer safer and healthier.
What are your thoughts on how seniors can spend their summers safely? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!
Resources
[1] Feng Xinchao. Research on indoor physiological stress and thermal comfort in elderly people in high temperature weather[D].North China Electric Power University,2021.000295.