Top 5 Tips for Preventing Heat Exhaustion While Outside

As caregivers, you should always remember to take the temperature into account when planning for outdoor activities. It’s simple to remember to bundle up for the cold, but it can be easy to forget that extreme heat can cause just as many issues as extreme cold. During the summer months, think about these top five tips for preventing heat exhaustion while outside with your aging loved one.

Dress Appropriately

Make sure the person you’re caring for is wearing the right attire for your time outside. Lightweight clothes that won’t add as much insulation and make them hotter are essential. Also, check that their clothes are loose-fitting—clothes that are too tight can keep your body from regulating itself properly.

Stay Hydrated

Bring along plenty of water as one of the biggest factors of heatstroke and heat exhaustion is dehydration, especially in Texas where it’s not unusual that the temperature gets into the 100s. Water is what allows you to sweat, which is your body’s attempt at temperature regulation. If not properly hydrated, your body may exhaust its resources and fail to keep itself cool. Among these top five tips for preventing heat exhaustion while outside, this is the most straightforward.

Check the Time

Pay attention to the clock; the hottest time of the day is generally between noon and 4:00 p.m. If you want to avoid this, the best time to be out is early in the morning after sunrise and early in the evening as the sun goes down.

Guard Against Sunburn

Sunburns can make it difficult for your body to perform regulatory processes. Be sure to put on sunscreen at least every two hours—more often if you’re enjoying water-based activities. A big hat and sunglasses can also do wonders for preventing heat exhaustion.

Get a Heat-Rejecting Tint

If you’re loading in and out of a car several times throughout the day, you may want to look into investing in some heat-rejecting tint. This helps protect your car against becoming a sauna when it’s been baking in the sun all day. The glass absorbs the heat and keeps it out of the car, which keeps your interior cool and allows for a quicker, easier cool-down process.

When you’re planning for outdoor activities, keep these tips in mind as they can go a long way in ensuring that the person you’re caring for is comfortable.

 Looking for additional tips and resources for caregivers? Click here for free access to The Essential Caregiver Toolkit and join our supportive community of Caregivers for Seniors in Texas!