Summer's Here: How Older Adults Can Prepare For The Heat

Summer brings plenty to enjoy — longer days, time outdoors, and a break from routine. But let’s be honest, the heat can get uncomfortable fast. For many older adults, it’s not just about feeling sticky or tired. It can put real strain on the body, especially if you’re managing a health condition.

Here’s what you need to know to stay safe and comfortable in the summer heat.

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Heat and Older Adults

Heat stress is the leading cause of weather-related death in the United States, and older adults are disproportionately affected. People often underestimate it — which is why it’s sometimes called a “silent killer.”

Walk — or even just stand — outside at noon and you’ll feel it. Aside from sweating, you may feel more tired, your heart beating faster, and your breathing a little heavier. That’s because your body is working harder than usual to keep its temperature in a safe range. The heart pumps more blood to the skin, and sweat helps release heat. You may also feel sluggish or drowsy. That’s your body trying to slow things down to avoid overheating.

Take it further, and excessive sweating can lead to fluid and electrolyte loss. This can quickly turn into dehydration — causing fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and even falls. These challenges become more pronounced with age.

As we get older, the body becomes less efficient at cooling itself. Sweat glands don’t work as well, blood flow to the skin is reduced, and the heart may not respond as quickly. This means older adults tend to store more heat and cool down more slowly. On top of that, many older adults live with chronic health conditions that can make heat harder to tolerate. Extreme heat can worsen breathing problems like asthma, trigger confusion or delirium in people with dementia, and place extra strain on the heart — raising the risk of heart attacks or worsening heart failure.

“Older adults who live alone, lack air conditioning, have mobility limitations, or limited financial resources are at especially high risk” from the heat.
Dr. Heather Swanson, CareMore Health’s regional medical officer

They may also be taking medications that affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature. For instance, water pills can increase fluid loss, while certain antidepressants, bladder medications, and even some antihistamines can reduce sweating or interfere with how the body cools itself.

“That doesn’t mean you should stop (your medications) — but it does mean we need to be a little more careful during periods of extreme heat,” Dr. Heather Swanson, CareMore Health’s regional medical officer, told Nifty50+ in an interview.

Chances are you’ve also been in a warm room with an older adult who seems unbothered by the heat. That’s not unusual. Some older adults don’t feel how hot they actually are, even when their bodies are under stress — especially those with conditions like hypertension or diabetes. This can be risky. If you don’t feel thirsty or overheated, you may not realize you need to drink water, rest, or cool down — until symptoms become more serious.

Socioenvironmental factors add to the vulnerability. “Older adults who live alone, lack air conditioning, have mobility limitations, or limited financial resources are at especially high risk” from the heat, Swanson added.

Stay Safe Amid the Heat

If you’re taking care of an older adult, Swanson suggests the following simple and effective strategies:

Ensure access to air conditioning or a cooling center
Encourage regular fluid intake, even if the person does not feel thirsty
Review medications that may increase heat sensitivity
Limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon heat
Check in at least once or twice daily, especially if the person lives alone

Dehydration is a major concern among older adults—affecting roughly 1 in 4. And it does more than cause thirst. It reduces blood volume, putting extra strain on the heart, limiting blood flow to the kidneys, and making blood sugar harder to manage — while increasing the risk of dizziness, confusion, and falls.

Much of the conversation revolves around how much to drink, which varies based on factors like age and activity. Swanson says the more important question is “how.”

She suggests reminding older adults to sip fluids regularly — even when they’re not thirsty — since the thirst signal becomes less reliable with age and they “may not feel thirsty until already dehydrated.”

However, it’s important not to force large amounts at once. “This can be uncomfortable and risks hyponatremia, especially in small-framed older adults.” A steady, consistent intake works better than trying to “catch up” later. Adding fluids to meals and medications can help build the habit. Water, milk, diluted juice, soup, and even tea or coffee all count, according to Swanson.

While some recommend avoiding caffeinated drinks like coffee, Swanson says they’re fine in moderation. “Recent evidence found that caffeinated beverages are not worse than water for hydration over short periods,” she added.

What to Watch Out For

Heat-related problems can be easy to miss — and dismiss as “just the weather” or a bad day — when in fact they may be early signs of heat exhaustion.

Warning signs include:

Dizziness or lightheadedness
Weakness or unusual fatigue
Nausea
Muscle cramps
Headache
Increased confusion

More serious signs that require urgent attention include hot, dry skin or profuse sweating, a rapid pulse, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, and altered mental status.

“Heat stroke is a medical emergency,” Swanson said. Without quick treatment, heat stroke can affect the brain, heart, kidneys, and other vital organs. A very high body temperature, confusion, loss of consciousness, or stopped sweating in extreme heat requires immediate medical evaluation.

Beat the Heat, Safely

Hot weather is a part of life — but serious heat-related illness doesn’t have to be.

The key is to act early and be proactive — whether symptoms are present or not. A little preparation can go a long way in protecting your health and helping you enjoy the season with greater peace of mind.