Heat wave safety: how to check on older relatives and neighbors

Many people call a parent, grandparent or older neighbor on the way home. This week, with a heat wave building in Southern California and tomorrow marking the International Day of Older Persons, that call can do real good.

The CDC explains that people 65 and older do not adjust as quickly to sudden temperature changes. They are also more likely to have health conditions or take medications that affect how the body handles heat. For those reasons, the CDC recommends that caregivers check on older adults at least twice a day during extreme heat.

A check-in can be simple. Ask whether they are drinking water regularly, even before they feel thirsty. Ask whether their air conditioning works and whether they are using it, since some people worry about the electric bill. Make sure they know to wear light, loose clothing, take a cool shower if they feel overheated, and skip strenuous chores in the afternoon.

Know the warning signs. The CDC lists muscle cramps, headaches, nausea and vomiting as reasons to get medical attention. Confusion or a very high body temperature can signal heat stroke, which is an emergency, so call 911.

If someone lives alone without air conditioning, help them make a plan for the hottest days, such as a ride to a library, a cooling center or your home. The CDC HeatRisk tool lets you enter a ZIP code to see how risky the heat will be each day. Tonight, pick one person to check on Friday and Saturday afternoon, and put a reminder in your phone.