With summer temperatures reaching 90 degrees or over in certain parts of the country, COVID-19 guidelines that recommend staying at home may seem like a blessing. After all, it’s easier to keep cool in a well air-conditioned room than it is outside in the blistering heat.

However, staying cool at home isn’t always as easy as it sounds, especially for older adults. According to the CDC, people aged 65 and older are at an increased risk for heat-related health problems such as heat stress, heat intolerance and difficulty regulating body temperature. Certain chronic health conditions and medications can affect temperature regulation or the ability to naturally produce sweat to cool the body down. This can be just as much of a problem in the home as it is outdoors, especially in areas like the kitchen, where appliances can cause increases to the room temperature.

As caregivers, it’s more important than ever for us to make sure the loved ones we care for are staying a comfortable temperature, and safe from the heat, during the summer. If we have access to a thermometer, we should make time for regular temperature checks to both monitor their temperature regulation and check for the presence of a fever that may be related to COVID-19.

Here are some ways we can help a loved one regulate their body temperature at home.

1. Emphasize hydration

The benefits of hydration may seem obvious, by according to WaterLogic, Americans are only drinking about 43 percent of the water they should be consuming on a daily basis. The CDC also adds that older adults are among the populations who tend to drink water below the national average.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends a daily fluid intake for adults of about 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women, though in some cases daily intake should be reduced, such as for those with conditions like kidney failure where the body retains water. Some of this fluid intake comes from foods that contain water, but a loved one should be encouraged to regularly consume water or beverages that contain water, like fruit juice. Intake of coffee, hot tea, caffeinated beverages and alcohol should be reduced in hot weather as they can have a diuretic effect, causing the body to lose fluid.

2. Dress for the weather

The loved one we care for may not be as focused on what they’re wearing if they have no plans to leave the house, but wearing breathable fabrics can help keep them from getting overheated while at home. Loose fitting clothing in natural fabrics like cotton and linen are ideal for hot days.

3. Optimize the house for cooling

While air-conditioning and fans are running, all windows and doors to rooms not in use should be closed to trap the cool air. Cracks under doors can also be blocked with towels or insulation strips for optimal cooling.

If the day is sunny, we may also want to consider shutting the blinds, as sunlight streaming into the room can heat it up quickly.

4. Be mindful about appliance use

Appliances can generate a lot of heat while in use, particularly the stove. If dinner involves cooking something for extended periods of time in the oven, it can make even an air-conditioned kitchen feel sweltering.

On hot days, it might be better to forgo recipes that use the stove. If we or a loved one need to use the stove for meals, we should run the kitchen’s exhaust fans to pull heat and steam from the room while cooking.

5. Apply cold compresses

A quick and effective way to regulate body temperature is through cold compresses. A loved one can apply the compress to the wrists, neck or temples, which should quickly distribute the temperature lowering effects to the rest of the body.

If we don’t have a compress, we can use chilled water bottles, bagged ice cubes or a bag of frozen vegetables.

6. Limit movement

While exercise is important for older adults, exercise on hot days may lead to more negative effects than benefits. On extremely hot days, older adults should avoid demanding activities wherever possible. If it’s necessary for a loved one to move around frequently during a hot day, they should take a cool shower or bath afterwards to cool their body back down.  

7. Keep things cool while sleeping

Though the body will naturally gradually decrease in temperature later in the day, if a loved one does something which increases their body temperature, such as moving too much or taking a medication with effects on their temperature, it may be hard for them to sleep, or they may wake up in the middle of the night overheated and uncomfortable.

Along with keeping the room a cool temperature using the thermostat or cooling fans, a loved one may additionally benefit from sheets and mattresses that are specially designed to be breathable or temperature regulating.
 
If your loved one begins to feel faint, dizzy, fatigued, agitated, nauseous, confused or feverish in the heat, call their doctor, especially if the symptoms last for more than an hour. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can be life-threatening and should be treated as immediately as possible.