Hot weather can pose serious health risks to older adults, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions. Here are five important safety tips that can help keep senior citizens healthy during hot weather:

1. Stay Hydrated: It is essential to stay hydrated during periods of high heat. Older adults should drink plenty of water and avoid beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol, as these can cause dehydration. Your body will lose water through sweating, so it is necessary to replenish it.
2. Dress Appropriately: Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing that allows your skin to breathe. You can also wear sunscreen, a hat or an umbrella to protect your skin from the sun.
3. Stay Indoors: Avoid unnecessary outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day and spend time in an air-conditioned area. If you don't have an air-conditioner at home, visit a shopping center or library that has air conditioning.
4. Keep Your Home Cool: Create a cool environment in your home by using blinds, curtains, or shades to block out sunlight. You can also use a fan or air-conditioner to circulate cool air and reduce indoor heat.
5. Watch for Signs of Heat-Related Illness: Keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, such as dizziness, rapid heartbeat, headache, fainting, or nausea. If you feel unwell, seek medical attention immediately.

Jot weather can have a severe impact on older adults' health, so it is necessary to take appropriate measures to stay safe. Follow the previously mentioned tips to avoid heat-related illnesses and maintain good health during the summer months. Remember to stay hydrated, dress appropriately, avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, keep your home cool, and be vigilant for signs of heat-related illness. These steps can help you stay healthy and comfortable during the summer months.

Check the links below for more ways to beat the heat.

Turnips are an incredibly versatile vegetable that offer a wealth of health benefits. Rich in vitamins and minerals, turnips provide essential nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium and magnesium – all of which help to support the immune system. They also contain dietary fiber, which helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer and can aid digestion by helping food move through your digestive tract more smoothly. Additionally, studies have shown that turnip consumption has been linked with lower risk of certain cancers due to their high antioxidant content – making them a great addition to any diet!

For those looking for easy recipes using this healthy vegetable:

Main Course - Turnip Gratin
Preheat oven 350°F (180°C)
Peel 2 large turnips then cut into thin slices; place in 9-inch baking dish or gratin pan lightly greased with butter or oil.
Sprinkle 1 cup (250 mL) shredded cheese over top; add salt & pepper if desired.
Bake uncovered about 30 minutes until golden brown on top & tender when pierced with knife tip; let stand 10 minutes before serving hot from oven accompanied by green salad tossed in vinaigrette dressing if desired.

Side Dish - Roasted Turnips
Preheat oven 400°F (200°C)
Wash 4 medium sized peeled turnip cubes then toss together in bowl with 3 tablespoons olive oil plus salt & pepper as desired; spread evenly on parchment paper lined baking sheet tray.
Roast 25–30 minutes turning once half way through cooking time until golden brown outside but still slightly firm inside when pierced; serve warm sprinkled fresh herbs such as parsley oregano thyme etc., along side main course meal.

Dessert - Caramelized Baked Apple Turnip
Preheat oven 375 ° F(190 ° C)
Peel and core equal amounts of apples and turnips (2-3 each)
Cut into wedges and place into a baking dish
Mix together

• ¼ cup melted butter
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• pinch nutmeg
  

Pour mixture over apple and turnip wedges
Bake covered 20–25minutes
Uncover, sprinkle sugar over surface and bake 15–20minutes further
Stir occasionally to caramelize all surfaces nicely
Serve warm
Top with ice cream

With summer here and temperatures rising, it is important to understand the health risks of excessive heat and recognize the signs of heat-related illness. Being hot for too long can be a problem. It can cause several illnesses, all grouped under the name hyperthermia.

These factors can increase your risk of hyperthermia:

• Not drinking enough fluids.
• Reduced sweating caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and certain heart and blood pressure drugs.
• High blood pressure or other health conditions that require changes in diet. People on salt-restricted diets may be at increased risk; however, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a doctor.
• Use of multiple medications. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.
• Age-related changes to the skin, such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat production.
• Heart, lung, and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.
• Being substantially overweight or underweight.
• Lack of mobility and access to transportation.
• Living in housing without air conditioning.
• Overdressing, especially in synthetic materials.

Understanding how to respond to hot weather conditions can help lower your risk of hyperthermia. Learn more about hot weather safety for older adults on NIA’s webpage and watch this video about exercising safely in hot weather.

Life blindsided our family in the fall of 2018 when my wife, Pat, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that quickly progressed to stage IV. After a torturous 17-month journey of tests, chemotherapy, ER visits, surgeries, extended hospital stays, and clinical trials, Pat went to her heavenly home. But the chaos pancreatic cancer tried to create could not steal our joy of life, kill our faith or destroy our hope for the future.
My bride of over 35 years blessed us with three terrific children. They, in turn, have blessed us with seven grandchildren, ranging in age from 9 to 1 year old. Close geographic proximity and strong relationships allowed us to help care for our six oldest grandchildren together before cancer took Pat’s life in 2020. It is one of the greatest blessings we have ever had. Our grandchildren truly stole our hearts.
I learned a few key lessons from caring for our grandkids that helped me care for my beautiful spouse. Now, I am absolutely not implying to ever treat an adult like a child. Adults who need assistance in daily life deserve respect, dignity and the ability to maintain some type of independence. They have feelings, thoughts and opinions that must always be considered. However, beginning-of-life and end-of-life care share some characteristics.

If you have older family members or loved ones, you may worry about their health as they age. Aging increases the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and dementia. The good news is that adopting and maintaining a few key behaviors can help older adults live longer, healthier lives. As a family member, it’s important to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors in your loved ones — it’s never too late to start!
 
For tips on healthy aging, click the button below.

Deciding to become physically active can be one of the best things you can do for your health. Exercise and physical activity are not only great for your mental and physical health, but they can help keep you independent as you age.  
 
To learn more, click the button below.

Answering the question “what should I eat?” doesn’t need to leave you feeling baffled and frustrated. In fact, when you have the right information and motivation, you can feel good about making healthy choices. Simple adjustments can go a long way toward building a healthier eating pattern.
 
Click the button below for tips to plan healthy and delicious meals.

Many factors may influence your risk of dementia, including genes, environment, and lifestyle. You can’t change some factors, but, as with many diseases, there may be steps you can take to help lower your risk. Learn more about how leading a healthy lifestyle is important for your health.
 
To learn more, click the button below.

If you do not see an aging friend or relative often, changes in his or her health may seem dramatic. In contrast, the primary caregiver might not notice such changes or realize that more help, medical treatment, or supervision is needed. Or, the primary caregiver might not want to accept the fact that the health of his or her spouse or parent is failing. 
 
As a caregiver, you can provide support by helping an aging friend or relative get the care they need.
 
To learn more, click the button below.

Shadow comforts and quick fixes deplete and exhaust.
Check out these ten ways to solve the self-care conundrum.

"Delirium is a sudden change in your alertness and thinking. People with delirium typically become confused and have trouble paying attention."

Healthline's Chitra Badii continues, "Delirium is an abrupt change to your mental state. It makes it difficult to think, remember, focus, and more. Some people with delirium become drowsy and quiet, while others can become agitated."

Badii expands her article to cover:

• Types
  
• Causes
• Risk factors
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Outlook

Build drinking water into your routine.

• Flavor water with lemon, lime, melon, or herbs to create a special drink.
  
• Make hot or iced tea as an alternative to water.
  
• In the United States, tap water is safe and cheap!
• Carry around a reusable water bottle with you all day.
• Offer water to your child throughout the day.
• Make water your beverage of choice between meals.
  

• Refrigerated or frozen foods may not be safe to eat after the loss of power.
• During power outages, keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep the cold in.
• Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and any leftovers) after 4 hours without power. A freezer can stay cold for up to 48 hours, but any frozen perishable foods should be thrown away if they thawed. Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment. Unplugging your medical devices, appliances, computers and other sensitive electronics can protect them from damage when the power returns.
• If you use a generator during the public safety power shutoff, never use it inside your home, basement or garage.
• Run your generator more than 20 feet from any window, door or vent. Generators can produce carbon monoxide. When carbon monoxide builds up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, it can be lethal to people and animals.
• When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector in your home, especially in sleeping areas.

Click the button below for more information from the CDC.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog (oregonsmoke.org).
Remember that cloth, dust and surgical masks do NOT protect from the harmful particles in smoke.
N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly fitted and worn. They won’t work for everyone, especially children.
Here's how you can protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:

• Stay inside if possible.
• Follow your breathing plan if you have one. Wildfires and pollution contain small particles that can make asthma and other chronic diseases worse.
• Make sure you have enough medication and monitor your health. Call your health care provider if your asthma gets worse or you’re exposed to smoke.
• If you can, create a cleaner air space.
  • Keep windows and doors closed.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
  • If available, use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers.
  • You can also create a DIY box fan filter.
    
• If you are unable to create a cleaner air space, many communities open cleaner air spaces during severe smoke events. In partnership with local officials and organizations, 211Info maintains a list of public cleaner air spaces. You can learn more about cleaner air spaces:
  
• Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-698-6155- available 24 hours a day.
  • Text your zip code to 898211 (TXT211) – available M-F from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Check www.211info.org

• Click the button below for more information on protecting your health during wildfires.
  

Some people perform incredible feats of strength and endurance well into their retirement years. The great news is: You don’t have to bench press 300 pounds or run a marathon to benefit from strength training.

NIA-funded researchers have been studying the effects of strength training for more than 40 years and have identified multiple ways it can benefit older adults, including maintaining muscle mass, improving mobility, and increasing the healthy years of life.

Click below to learn more about the findings, along with tips for maintaining strength or becoming stronger as you age.

Your skin changes as you age. It becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. Your veins and bones can be seen more easily, and scratches, cuts, or bumps can take longer to heal. A few things you can do to keep your skin healthy and protected this summer are:

• Limit your time in the sun. Try to avoid being in the sun during peak times when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• Use sunscreen. Look for sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) number of 15 or higher. It’s best to choose sunscreens with “broad spectrum” on the label.
• Wear protective clothing. Choosing the proper clothing can help protect your skin. For example, consider wearing loose, lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants or long skirts.

It’s important to understand what is and isn’t a normal part of aging. Many people make assumptions about what it’s like to grow “old” and how older age will affect them. Research has shown that you can help preserve your health and mobility as you age by adopting or continuing healthy habits and lifestyle choices. A few common myths about aging are:

• The older I get, the less sleep I need. Older adults need the same amount of sleep as all adults — seven to nine hours each night.
• Only women need to worry about osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis is more common in women, this disease still affects many men and could be underdiagnosed.
• It’s inevitable that older people will get dementia. Dementia isn’t a normal part of aging. Although the risk of dementia grows as people get older, it’s not inevitable, and many people live into their 90s and beyond without the significant declines in thinking and behavior that characterize dementia.

National Council on Aging Presents - National Falls Prevention Awareness Week
 
The National Council on Aging has sponsored National Falls Prevention Awareness week for the past 15 years. The goal of this campaign is to provide older adults with valuable information on how to reduce their risk of falling, and spread awareness about why this matters. NCOA's Falls Free CheckUp is an online screening tool that can serve as a first step for older adults to learn more about falls risk and steps to prevent falls and accidents.
 
National Falls Prevention Awareness Week will be held on September 18-24, 2022.