There’s no doubting we’re in the thick of summertime with temperatures hovering near the century mark as of late. Huntsville seniors, in particular, need to be aware of the dangers of dehydration and take care to avoid overheating.
“Summer is here and so is the heat,” Regency Retirement Village of Huntsville Executive Director Barbara Stripling said in the most recent Regency newsletter. “Please remember to drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated. You can always cool off in our pool. It is open and available to Regency residents and family. The gate key is located at the front desk with the concierge.”
It’s an offer that some will no doubt take as summer drags on. Hot, humid summers are normal for north Alabama. Average high temperatures reach 90-degrees in the summer. The record high for Huntsville was 111-degrees.
They’re called the “lazy days of summer” because the heat makes the body feel lethargic. Seniors are more likely than others to require medications to control temperature changes. It important that aged persons have their health and stamina checked by a caregiver who can monitor their well-being during heat waves and prolonged hot spells.
For those friends or family who do not live in a place like Regency, where they can be closely watched and cared for by our staff, it is advisable to spend the hottest part of the day in an air conditioned public space such as the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, a movie theater (Regal Hollywood Stadium 18, IMAX at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Touchstar Cinemas, Carmike Valley Bend, Carmike 10, or Cinemark Monaco are a few of them), or a shopping mall like Parkway Place, Bridge Street Town Center, or Madison Square Mall. Other possibilities include Alabama Constitution Village, the Early Works Museum, the Huntsville Depot, and the Huntsville Museum of Art.
Madison County’s designated Cooling Centers are Huntsville and Madison public libraries, all YMCA’s, Huntsville and Madison County Senior Center off of Drake Avenue, and the Downtown Rescue Mission off of University Drive. Someone in need can call the crisis center at 211 then punch in their zip code to receive directions to the closest cooling center in North Alabama.
Drinking plenty of water helps us stay hydrated while restricting outdoor activities to the morning and evening makes for a safer summertime routine. If you can’t avoid being outside during the daytime, experts say seniors should dress in loose clothing in light colors, wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat. Use wet washcloths to pat the wrists, face and back of neck for a quick cool-down.
Obviously, it’s better to eat foods that do not require baking since an oven can quickly heat up a kitchen and other parts of a house or apartment. Finding a spot in the shade is significantly cooler than sitting directly in sunlight.
A lot of the tips for keeping your cool are common sense, but failing to take preventive care can have disastrous results.
Don’t let the dog days of summer dog your health. Keep these safety tips in mind for yourself and others as we face the heat of summer 2015 in Huntsville.