The Ottawa citizen has complied a list of eight tips to help seniors beat the heat.
1. Keep it cool. It might seem obvious, but it can literally be a lifesaver for someone with a heart disease. If you don't have air conditioning in your home, try to create a cross breeze by placing fans on opposite sides of the room so cold air can circulate within the room
2. During the hottest times of the day -between 10am and 3pm- keep the blinds drawn and try to find and air conditioned building if your residence doesn't have it. Community centres, liberies and shopping malls are all safe bets to have working air condtioning
3. Hydrate, hydrate, then hydrate some more
4. But hydrate properly. Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics and can cause dehydration.
5. Avoid tight dark clothing.
6. Don't go lawn bowling during the day. Physical activity on hot humid days can be dangerous for those with heart or lung condition.
7. Keep an umbrella handy. Humidity is known to bring thunder storms but an umbrella can also provide shade from the sun
8. Constant vigilance is necessary. Due to aging, chronic conditions and certain medications many heat related symptoms may not be as pronounced. In the case is dizziness, rapid heart beat, diarrhea, nausea, headache, chest pain, mental changes it breathing problems an elderly person should seek immediate medical attention.
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