Help a Senior Beat the Heat!
Be a good neighbor. Check in on the elderly and those who do not have air 
conditioning.
Advice you can give:
Dress for the heat! Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat, or use an umbrella.
Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity, or only do it during the coolest part of the day, in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember, electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
Spot the Signs of Heat-Related Illness:
Heat cramps: Muscle pains and spasms due to heavy exertion; an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
Heat exhaustion: Look for cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal. If not treated, may lead to heat stroke.
Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The body’s temperature control system stops working, and temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signs include hot, red and dry skin; loss of consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high—up to 105 degrees.
How to Care for Heat Emergencies:
Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly or give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 911 if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
Heat stroke: Call 911. Move the person to a cooler place and quickly cool the body by immersing them in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body. If the person refuses water, is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
Click here for more information about staying safe in the heat!
Source: Red Cross