In the middle of another long Texas summer, the last thing we want to think about is the heat. Unfortunately, the ninety- and one-hundred-degree days pose a real threat to our health, especially the health of the elderly.
Why Are the Elderly More Vulnerable?
People who are 65 years or older are more prone to heat stress for a number of reasons, including the fact that physically they are less able to adapt to sudden changes in temperature. They are also more likely to have a chronic medical condition that affects the ability of the body to respond to heat. Also, they often take prescription medication that impairs the ability of the body to regulate its temperature.
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As such, the elderly are particularly vulnerable during heat waves. Every year in Texas nursing homes and elderly care facilities, senior citizens suffer from dehydration, heat stroke, and other heat-related ailments.
Negligence on the part of the facility is often the cause. However, elderly residents of apartments and condos can also be the victim of negligence on the part of a property manager or repair company. A skilled Dallas personal injury lawyer can help you pursue a claim for damages based on this negligence.
What is Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke is the most serious form of a heat injury and requires medical attention immediately. Heat stroke can cause major damage to the brain and other internal organs, and even death. Heat stroke is a result of over exposure to extreme temperatures, usually in combination with dehydration. These combined lead to failure of the body’s temperature control system.
The medical definition of a heat stroke is when the body’s internal temperature is 105 degrees Fahrenheit, with complications involving the central nervous system that occur after exposure to extreme heat.
Other symptoms of a heat stroke include:
- Nausea
- Seizure
- Confusion
- Red, hot, or dry skin
- Muscle weakness or cramps
- Headache
- Shallow breathing
- Unconsciousness
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Heat Exhaustion
Elderly can also suffer from heat exhaustion, which is a milder form of a heat-related illness. This can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate replacement of fluids.
Some symptoms of heat exhaustion include but are not limited to:
- Heavy sweating
- Pale skin
- Muscle cramps
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fainting
- Fast and shallow breathing
If you notice these or any other troubling signs related to the heat in an elderly relative or loved one, be sure to immediately seek out medical attention.
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Protecting Your Loved One from Heat Stroke
If you suspect an elderly person is suffering a heat stroke, contact 911 immediately. While waiting for the paramedics, initiate first aid. Move the person indoors, or to a shaded area and remove necessary clothing. Other cooling strategies include:
- Fan air over the person
- Wet their skin with a wet sponge or towel
- Apply ice packs to the person’s armpits, neck, and back
- Immerse the person into an ice bath or cold shower.
The best way to avoid heat stroke, and make sure the elderly ones around you stay cool during the hot summer months is to take preventative measures. Here are tips to keep cool in hot weather:
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration is one of the main causes of heat-related illness. Make sure you stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid alcoholic drinks or drinks that contain caffeine, they can actually contribute to your dehydration.
- Stay indoors during the hottest part of the day. It’s best to avoid doing activities outdoors between the time of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
- Wear lightweight-clothing. Wear breathable clothing when you know you’ll be spending your time outdoors. Wear short sleeves, shorts, and a hat to shade your face from the sun.
Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers
It is the responsibility of every elderly care facility to provide a safe environment for its residents and to properly monitor the health and well being of its patients. Sadly, during times of high heat, a patient’s health can deteriorate very quickly, causing permanent trauma before proper treatment can be administered. In such a case, it can be difficult to ascertain whether the injury was an accident or the result of negligence and/or maltreatment.
There are strict laws that govern the care of residents in elderly care facilities. If your relative or loved one has been the victim of negligence, you need a team of legal professionals that not only specializes in the area of wrongful death and injury cases, but that will also make your case its top priority. We know how traumatic it can be to lose a loved one, and we will do everything in our power to make sure that you will be justly compensated.
Contact a Dallas nursing home abuse lawyer from Crowe Arnold & Majors, LLP to schedule a free consultation today. We can be reached at (800) 738-4045.
