Nursing staff guidelines -outdoor activities of the elderly in the heat waves

Nursing staff guidelines -outdoor activities of the elderly in the heat waves

We know that exercise is a key element of health. We encourage the outdoor activities of the elderly because research shows that regular exercise can delay dementia and other age -related diseases. And we all know that outdoor sports are more healthy, because we can benefit from breathing fresh air and absorb the sun.

However, with the climate change in the past ten years, extreme changes have become more extreme. In the summer of 2023, the highest temperature in southern United States and Europe and Asia reached unprecedented heights. According to data from the National Biotechnology Information Research Center, the mortality rate during the heat wave was significantly higher than the mortality rate under normal climate conditions. In fact, at temperature, the rate of increased percentage of 1 degree Celsius increased by 2.49 %.

The problem facing nursing staff is that they must continue to encourage patients to exercise regularly, but they must also deal with the increase in risk during the heat wave. Let's see how to reduce risks and still keep patients active and healthy.

Understand the risk of heat waves

As we grow older, our body will naturally lose some ability to adjust temperature and retain water. In addition, the elderly usually tend to use more drugs, such as β -blockers and diuretics, which can further increase the risk of disease -related diseases or dehydration.

Diseases related to heat may vary from dizziness and cramps, and more serious problems, such as exhausted fatigue or even stroke, if not treated in time, this may be fatal. Understand signs and quickly take action to prevent serious complications. Here are some common symptoms:

Dizziness or dizziness. This is usually the first sign of dehydration or exhaustion.

Chaos or loss: heat can affect cognitive function, which leads to the confusion or loss direction of the elderly. Sudden changes in a person's mental state may indicate the problem related to heat.

Quick heartbeat: Increasing heart rate can indicate that the body is working hard to cool.

Excessive sweating or lack of sweating: Sweating is a natural way to cool the body and should not attract people's attention. However, when someone starts to sweat far more than usual or stop sweating when it is very hot, this may be a sign of obstacles related to heat.

Prepare outdoor activities

Although most people want to move outdoors, you must be wise. Unless you take appropriate prevention measures, outdoor activities under extreme weather conditions are greater than beneficial risks. In the heat wave, you need to consider three things when planning outdoor activities.

The time of the day: This seems obvious, but you should always try outdoor activities for the elderly before the morning too hot. According to your climatic area, you can also arrange to exercise in the afternoon after cooling. Please remember that in the Mediterranean climate area, this may not work properly because the sun is late at 8pm, and it has been hot until it is dark.

Wear appropriate clothes. The clothes should be light and breathable to avoid heat. Try to use natural fabrics such as cotton, because synthetic materials are often more intensive and waterproof. Natural fiber absorbs sweat and allows the air to keep the body cool. Once the patient starts to sweat, loose clothes will be more comfortable.

Limit skin exposure. Covering the skin will not only reduce the calories of direct radiation, but also prevent the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays (UVB). If long -sleeved tops and pants are unrealistic, use sunscreen. The American Society of Dermatology recommends that you will at least 30 sunscreen (SPF). This prevents 97 % of UVB rays.

Hydration and nutrition

Drink enough water. It is generally recommended that ordinary adults drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Suppose the glass is 250 ml (9 0Z.), That is 2 liters (72 ounces) per day. In hot weather, you should consider increasing this situation to make up for sweat and make up for additional moisture losses.

Keep a healthy diet. Encourage your patients to eat a refreshing meal rich in fruits, vegetables and lean protein. In the period of extremely hot weather, it is recommended to use high water content (such as watermelon and cucumber) for additional aqueous hydration.

You may also consider nutritional supplements to replace electrolytes and minerals that have been lost through sweating.

Focus on low impact exercises

Always start practicing through extension routine. Once your patient warm up, you can continue to perform low -impact exercises, such as walking or Tai Chi. Taijiquan helps to maintain balance and coordination, and can provide quite good cardiovascular exercise at the advanced level.

Another excellent exercise choice is swimming or aerobic exercise, if you can enter the swimming pool. This is particularly suitable for patients with damage to liquidity or joint pain, because water's buoyancy supports some weight. Of course, water temperature eliminates any risks related to heat. No matter what kind of exercise you choose, make sure they are suitable for patients' fitness levels.

There is an indoor backup plan

Sometimes it may be very hot, so that exercise outside is dangerous. When the temperature is 100O F (less than 38O C), it will be cautious to stay indoors. If you don't have any exercise equipment, Tai Chi and Yoga are a good choice.

You can also create improvisation through indoor gardening or cooking. If there is no risk of disease or injury, anything that makes your patient gets up is beneficial. In addition, you can rest from your body. It takes only one or two days to do handicrafts, chessboard games and puzzles. Mental stimulation and relaxation are also important, and should not be completely eliminated.

Be urgent

never say Never. Although you have carried out all plans and preventive measures, you may encounter emergencies. The problem of emergency situations is that they suddenly happen and usually require fast and decisive actions. Another thing they want to do is to panic, and people tend to lose rational thinking and in an orderly manner.

Having a thoughtful emergency plan can make your response structure in emergency situations. In addition to the emergency telephone number and the list of things you want to do, you should also consider that there is an emergency kit on hand. Because you must manage the date of validity, this is a bit tricky, but it is possible, which is possible, and can save a lot of time in emergency situations.

Therefore, when we face the prospects of increasingly extreme weather, we should not allow it to interfere with the physical and mental health of our loved ones. We hope that this guide provides some useful ideas, and we are going to help you in any possible way in this journey.