Preventing & Treating Hyperthermia in the Elderly Adult

As temperatures rise each summer, many senior adults struggle to regulate internal body temperature in response to the climate changes. With sunny skies and inviting weather, the elderly population falls to great risks in the summer, especially in terms of developing a heat related illness.

Hyperthermia is the term most often referenced when discussing heat related risks and the elderly population. As a termed used to umbrella, or describe, a variety of heat related condition, hyperthermia in the elderly population is a key focus of concern among family members, healthcare professionals and the senior adult themselves.

Why, you ask, is the elderly population at greater risk than the general public? In normal heat exposure, our body has a natural ability to regulate temperature, through perspiration. Perspiration is effective at reducing body temperature through a cooling effect. In senior adults, this mechanism of perspiration and cooling, often, does not work effectively.

Hyperthermia comes in a variety of sub classifications; ranging from classifications including heat stress or heat fatigue. Hyperthermia is commonly exhibited by weakness, to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which lead to severe medical complications including lethargy, syncope and, in some cases, even death.

For many families, the key focus in preventing heat related illness in the senior adult has been in ensuring the home is cooled well; either by air conditioning or cooling fans. But, for the elderly population, the risk of hyperthermia goes well beyond this. For example, obesity and the consumption of alcohol are two factors that may increase your loved ones risk for developing hyperthermia. Walking long distances, dressing in layers and even becoming mixed into large crowds of people can also place your loved one at risk for hyperthermia.