Heat Stroke in Older Adults: Understanding the Risks and Staying Sun Smart

As summer approaches and temperatures rise, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with heat stroke, particularly in older adults. Heat stroke is a serious condition that can have severe consequences for seniors, but with the right knowledge and precautions, it can be prevented.

Understanding Heat Stroke in Older Adults

Heat stroke occurs when the body’s core temperature rises to dangerous levels, usually above 40° Celsius. Older adults are more susceptible to heat stroke due to several factors, including:

  1. Decreased thermoregulation: As we age, our bodies become less efficient at regulating temperature, making older adults more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
  2. Chronic medical conditions: Seniors with chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes may have a reduced ability to cope with extreme heat.
  3. Medication use: Certain medications, including diuretics, antihistamines, and beta-blockers, can impair the body’s ability to cool itself down, increasing the risk of heat stroke.

Recognising the Symptoms of Heat Stroke

It is essential to be able to recognise the signs of heat stroke to initiate prompt treatment. Common symptoms include:

  • High body temperature: A body temperature of 40° Celsius or higher is a significant indicator of heat stroke.
  • Hot, dry skin: The skin may feel hot and dry to the touch, with no evidence of sweating.
  • Headache and dizziness: Severe headaches, dizziness, confusion, and even fainting can be experienced by individuals as symptoms of heat stroke.
  • Rapid heartbeat and breathing: An elevated heart rate and rapid, shallow breathing are common symptoms of heat stroke.

Sun Smart Tips to Prevent Heat Stroke

Protecting older adults from heat stroke requires adopting sun smart strategies. Here are some effective preventive measures:

  1. Stay hydrated: Encourage older adults to drink plenty of fluids, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Water, herbal teas, and fruit juices can help maintain hydration levels.
  2. Avoid peak sun hours: Limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If going outside is necessary, ensure they have access to shade.
  3. Dress appropriately: Recommend lightweight, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen. Hats and sunglasses can provide additional protection.
  4. Apply sunscreen: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF (30 or above) and apply it generously to exposed skin, including the face, neck, and arms.
  5. Create a cool environment: Ensure that the living space is well-ventilated, use fans to circulate air and create a comfortable indoor temperature.

When to Seek Medical Help

In severe cases, heat stroke can be life-threatening. If you suspect someone is experiencing heat stroke, take immediate action:

  • Call emergency services: Dial emergency services or seek medical attention right away.
  • Move to a cooler place: Transfer the person to a shaded or air-conditioned area.
  • Apply cool compresses: Use cool, wet cloths or towels to lower their body temperature until help arrives.

Heat stroke is a serious risk for older adults, but by taking preventive measures and staying sun smart, it can be avoided. Recognising the symptoms of heat stroke, staying hydrated, and protecting against excessive sun exposure are crucial steps in safeguarding the well-being of older adults during hot weather. Remember to follow these tips and keep a watchful eye on your loved ones to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer season.

Light Summer Meals & Snacks for Older Adults

During the summer months, older individuals often find themselves inclined to snack rather than consume large meals. The combination of heat and decreased appetite can make heavy meals less appealing. Opting for snacks provides a lighter and more manageable approach to meeting nutritional needs while maintaining energy levels throughout the day.

To help you stay satisfied and nourished, we have gathered a selection of healthy snack ideas that are both enjoyable and nutritious.

Salads & Pasta Salads

Salads are a convenient choice for older adults in the summer. It requires minimal cooking and offers balanced nutrition, hydration, and easy digestion, providing a light and refreshing meal that’s easy to prepare.

By adding whole wheat pasta, such as fusilli or penne, adds fibre and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. You can enhance the salad with lean proteins like sliced steak or chicken breast, along with vegetables, chickpeas, feta cheese, or beans, for added nutrients and flavour.

Including lean proteins, such as chicken breast, adds nutrition and satisfaction to the meal. Fresh vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The salad’s ingredients, combined with the dressing, also contribute to hydration.

Preparing the pasta salad ahead of time and dividing it into portions makes meal planning easier. It saves time and effort while guaranteeing tasty and nourishing meals whenever you want. Here are a couple of pasta salad recipes to inspire you and help you create your own delicious pasta salad.

Chicken pasta salad recipe

Tuna Pasta Salad

Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad

 

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are an excellent option for older adults seeking a light and healthy evening meal during the summer. They can be filled with nutritious ingredients to enhance their health benefits. Moreover, you can add variety by using different types of bread, such as wraps, bagels, pitta bread, or French baguettes. This creates a delightful range of flavours and textures, making each sandwich a satisfying and enjoyable experience.

Consider filling such as:

  • Salmon, which is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids supporting brain function and overall well-being.
  • Egg salad provides an affordable source of protein and various vitamins and minerals.
  • Tuna, similar to salmon, is high in omega-3 fatty acids and can be mixed with mayonnaise and sweetcorn for added flavor.
  • Ham and cheese offer protein and a range of B vitamins, but should be enjoyed in moderation due to their higher sodium and saturated fat content. Customize sandwiches with favourite vegetables and dressings for a satisfying meal.

Burrito Bowls

Burrito bowls are a versatile and convenient choice for older adults seeking a healthy summer meal. Personalize the bowls with nutrient-rich ingredients like lean proteins, colourful vegetables, whole grains, and flavourful toppings. The adaptability of burrito bowls makes them suitable for various dietary restrictions, and they can be prepared in advance with minimal cooking time. Take a look at the provided recipe links to get started.

Chicken Burrito Bowl

Beef Burrito Bowls

Burrito Bowls Recipe

Spanish Omelette and Frittatas

Spanish omelettes and frittatas are excellent choices for summer meals, especially for older adults. These dishes not only offer delicious flavours but also provide great versatility and numerous nutritional benefits.

Frittatas, which are open-faced omelettes cooked in a skillet or oven, can be loaded with fresh seasonal vegetables, herbs, and proteins, offering a wide range of flavours and textures.

Spanish omelettes, traditionally made with eggs, potatoes, and onions, deliver a hearty and nutritious combination. Additional vegetables like bell peppers or spinach can be added for enhanced nutritional value. Both frittatas and Spanish omelettes are easy to prepare, making them ideal for quick and hassle-free summer cooking. Here are a few recipes to try:

Real Spanish Omelette Recipe | BBC Good Food

Jamie Oliver | Spanish Tortilla

Fritatta Recipes | BBC Good Food 

Chorizo Spanish Omelette

Frittata Recipes

Fruit Salads

To add a refreshing touch to summer meals, fruit salads are an excellent choice. Fruits are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support a healthy immune system, vibrant skin, stable blood glucose levels, and cardiovascular health.

Choose fruits that are rich in beneficial nutrients such as apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, and grapes. The natural sugars in fruits provide satisfying sweetness without the need for added sugar.

You can mix fruit salads with yogurt, honey, or fruit juice for variety. Fresh fruits also contribute to hydration due to their high water content. It’s important to consult a medical professional to determine which fruits are suitable for your specific needs. Certain fruits are more appropriate for individuals with diabetes, while others may need to be avoided if you are taking certain medications. For example, grapefruit is known to interact with certain medications and should be avoided.

If you’re looking for ideas to create your own fruit salad, check out the links below for inspiration and fruit salad recipes:

Fruit Salad Recipes

Fruit Salad Recipe with Yoghurt 

Jamie Oliver | Fruit Salad Recipes

We hope these summer meal ideas and recipes have inspired you and made your taste buds tingle. As we age, it’s easy to stick to the same foods, but trying new flavours and revisiting our favourite dishes can bring back the joy of eating.

However, it’s important to remember that before making significant changes to your diet, it’s best to speak to your doctor or healthcare professional. Our nutritional needs can change as we get older, and certain health conditions or medications may affect what we should eat. Seeking professional advice ensures that any dietary changes we make align with our health goals and take into account our specific medical needs.

Ballaghaderreen Needs Analysis Fun Days

Over the past couple of months, RHS Home Care has been conducting a needs analysis for the town of Ballaghaderreen, with the objective of creating a comprehensive report on the town’s needs for the benefit of the local community. The ultimate goal is to present this report to the county council and the government, and to seek their support in creating social supports for the residents and workers in the town.

To encourage participation in the survey and connect with the people of Ballaghaderreen, RHS Home Care organised two fun days at Duffy’s Supervalu in the town. The event was a great success, thanks to the many participants including Shannonside FM, local school students, Ballaghaderreen Men’s Shed, An Garda Síochána, the Fire Brigade, Corvenieos Entertainment, among others. Below are a few of the photos taken during the two-day event.


HSE Home Support Service

The HSE Home Support Service (formerly called the Home Help Service or Home Care Package Scheme) aims to support older people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible and to support informal carers.

Home Support Service for people aged 65+

The HSE’s Home Support Service is available to people aged 65 or over who may need support to continue living in the comfort of their own home or to return home following a hospital stay. Exceptions are made for people younger than 65 who may need support. For example, people with early onset dementia or a disability.

The Home Support Service is funded by the state and can be delivered to you free of charge by approved providers such as RHS Home Care. You do not need a medical card to apply and your income will not be assessed.

Supports

A tailormade home care plan is put in place to cater to the individual’s needs, which can include:

• Getting in and out of bed
• Dressing and undressing
• Personal care such as showering and shaving
• Mobility
• Food preparation
• Medication prompting

Our carers are professionally trained to  carry out constant employee reviews to ensure that our healthcare assistants are meeting the care requirements of our clients.

How to Apply for Home Support Services

You can obtain an information booklet and application form from you GP, Public Health Nurse or other healthcare professional, or you can ask your local Home Support Office to send it to you.

Alternatively, you can download the booklet and application form here

You must fill in the application form and return it to your healthcare professional or your local HSE Home Support Office. If you are unable to apply yourself, someone can apply on your behalf. This could be your relative, family carer, GP or public health nurse.

After the HSE receives your completed application form, the HSE will arrange to assess what kind of support you might need. This is called a Care Needs Assessment..

How to choose RHS Home Care as your Home Support Service Provider

Your healthcare professional may give you a list of approved providers to choose from and as RHS Home Care is an Approved Provider of HSE Support Services you can select us from the list. Alternatively, when completing the form you can apply to be considered for Consumer Directed Home Support.

Consumer Directed Home Support (CDHS)

Consumer Directed Home Support (CDHS) is another way your home support can be delivered by an Approved Provider, CDHS is not available in all areas. You can contact your local home support office to find out if it is available in your area.

If you are approved for a Home Support Service and HSE staff are not available to deliver the service, then a provider who has been approved by the HSE, will deliver the home support to you.

You will deal directly with the HSE Approved Provider(s) of your choice to arrange days and times of services that meet your essential care needs. These will be identified during your care needs assessment.

You can choose to be considered for CDHS when you are completing your application form. If you apply for, and are approved for CDHS, after your care needs assessment, you will receive a letter from the HSE approving a weekly amount of funding.  You can use this to arrange home support from RHS Home Care or any approved provider you choose.

For more information visit the HSE website by clicking the link below:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/home-support-services.