Prevent heat problems by doing the following:
¨ Drink plenty of liquids, such as water or juices.
¨ Avoid drinks that have caffeine or alcohol in them.
¨ If your doctor has told you to limit your liquids, be sure to ask what you should do when it is very hot.
¨ Eat well-balanced, light meals. Avoid hot, heavy meals.
¨ Use air conditioning and fans.
¨ Open windows on two sides of the building if you do not have fans or air conditioning.
¨ Keep curtains or blinds drawn during the hottest part of the day.
¨ Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothes.
¨ Don’t try to exercise or do a lot of activities when it is hot. Reduce or reschedule activities. Do activities in the early morning or in the evening.
¨ Avoid crowded places when it’s hot outside.
¨ Avoid too much sun. Stay inside during the hottest part of the day, noon to 4 pm.
¨ Pay attention to weather reports (temperature & humidity).
¨ If you do not have any air conditioning, try to spend at least two hours a day (between noon and 4 pm if possible) in an air-conditioned place, such as a shopping mall, a movie theater, a library, a senior center, or a friend’s house.
If you think you can’t afford to run your air conditioner or if you need transportation to an air-conditioned place, please contact the Union-Snyder Agency on Aging, Inc. at 524-2100 or 374-5558.