Heat-related Illness

During the summer, we need to focus on avoiding heat related illnesses and think about how we can provide support on extra hot days.  Each staff member will study information about this in the Summer Weather Precautions module. As a reminder, here’s who is at risk, in a nutshell!

• People who are overweight have greater difficulty regulating body temperature.
• People who are unable to tell you they are too hot.
• People with medical conditions such as heart disease and breathing conditions.

Another important reminder of who is at risk are people who take certain medications. Be sure you know which medications make a difference!  If you don’t know, ask!  People who use antipsychotics are particularly at risk, but there are others like benztropine and diphenhydramine that may hasten dehydration.  If you are not sure if the medications you are administering could lead to dehydration, don’t take a chance.

Unless the individual you are supporting has a fluid restriction from the doctor, most people we support can handle a little extra water just fine.  When you are thirsty, offer everyone in the house a drink.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.  Drink up!  Extra water on the hot days will do us all good.