Summer is a time of persistently high temperatures, but from time to time we enter heat waves in which the mercury soars to truly surprising figures. This jeopardizes the well-being of all people, but young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with certain diseases are much more vulnerable to heat.
In the specific case of the elderly, with aging there are alterations in the thermoregulatory center, with a lower sensation of heat that does not encourage protection from high temperatures. Likewise, older people have a lower perception of thirst, thus increasing the risk of dehydration, especially when suffering from a neurodegenerative disease, being overweight, chronic diseases or taking certain drugs that promote dehydration.
To stay cool and cope with high temperatures as much as possible, there are several measures we can take. Avoid going outside and doing physical activity during the hottest hours of the day, try to stay in the shade, use sun protection, follow a light diet, stay hydrated by drinking water and eating fruits and vegetables… But, in addition, it is important to pay close attention to clothing, since it largely depends on it to considerably alleviate the sensation of heat.
