Ana Rodrigo |
Madrid, Jul 21 (EFE).- Episodes of extreme temperatures, such as those brought by the new heat wave that begins next week, especially affect the physical and mental health of the elderly: hot residences, more hours locked up at home, less activity outdoors, neighbors and family on vacation, adverse effects of medication…
In addition to the recommendations common to all (lots of hydration, light meals or avoiding exposure to the sun), heads of residences, geriatricians and families provide EFE with advice and strategies so that the elderly can have the best possible time in the heatwave.
The government and communities agreed last May to implement a “climate shield” with protection measures for residential centers in situations of extreme heat, such as adapting the facilities with air conditioning in all spaces, with special emphasis on those occupied by people with mobility difficulties.
Also, modify the schedules, the clothing of workers and users, offer more hydration and prepare protocols with the changes, the early identification of risk situations and coordination with the health system.
“Every time heat waves are announced, we implement protocols in the centers: we avoid walks in the gardens and activities outside, and if they are, we do them first thing in the morning; we offer juices and water from time to time to the residents to avoid dehydration”, explains the president of the Business Federation of the Dependency (FED), Ignacio Fernández-Cid.
The menus are also adapted, although in the centers there are usually diets established for summer and winter. “On those days we offer more salads and cooler dishes, but the elderly demand that there continue to be lentils and chickpeas and if there aren’t, they complain so that there are,” says Cinta Pascual, head of the Business Circle of Attention to People (CEAPs).
“Some older people can’t stand the heat, but there are more who have more problems with the cold and ask you to change places because they get cold or immediately put on a jacket,” adds the president of one of the residential center employers’ associations.
Mariví Nieto’s mother lives in the Alcorcón Residence for the Elderly, a public residence in the Community of Madrid, and spends most of her time in her room.
“Every summer we encounter this problem, although heat waves are becoming more frequent and the elderly are very vulnerable because they continually dehydrate. We are very concerned about the issue of refrigeration, maintenance leaves much to be desired, half of the time they are broken, there is no air conditioning in the rooms, only in common areas and corridors, ”he comments.
“The heat accumulates in the rooms, the windows cannot be fully opened, it is not enough to lower the blinds and there is not even a sad fan, it is unbearable to be in those spaces, that is why I took one to the residence and I hope they are connecting it, when I go to visit it at least they turn it on”, she says.
The difference in temperature between the different rooms affects them a lot, he points out: “They catch colds and they are people with multiple pathologies.”
Holidays with the children?
Dr. Eduardo Delgado Parada, a specialist in psychiatry and geriatrics, highlights the importance of consulting older people about what they want to do on vacation: “You have to ask them what they would do and respect their opinion; something that seems so obvious, most of the time is not given”.
“Although the son thinks that he will be better off in another place, with better facilities and with the family, the father may not be of the same opinion and prefers to stay at home because he does not feel like the noise or because he wants to maintain his routines of mealtimes or television programs,” says the specialist.
In these weeks of high temperatures, he recommends evaluating the medication of the elderly in case it is necessary to adjust some treatments, such as those aimed at regulating heart rate and blood pressure, which can be interfered by higher temperatures and changes in diet.
Tomás and his wife, summer at the residence
“Some relatives take their parents for a few days on vacation; I have four children, each one goes to a place and they don’t have to be there to take care of us, I love my grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much but at this time they must be with their parents and enjoy together because they are at school all year long”, says Tomás Plaza Carlavilla, who lives in the Adolfo Suárez Residence, in Madrid.
“I have already taken many vacations with them and here in the residence I am very cool and comfortable with my wife; They come to see us very frequently and that’s enough for us,” this 83-year-old retiree told EFE.
An option chosen by some older people who do not live in centers while their children are on vacation. “Some families who go to the coast, for example, demand our stay in the summer; The eldest is the first to say that he doesn’t feel like going because he is going to sweat a lot and because summer houses are not as comfortable as the first home, ”says Fernández-Cid, head of the majority employers’ association in the sector.
These temporary stays of about 10 or 15 days while the family is away from home, “are not many and depend on the availability of places” in the centers, concludes Pascual.
Getaways for seniors who live alone
The Fundación Grandes Amigos, an organization that accompanies the elderly who are alone, programs “summer getaways” so that 130 of the people who already participate in their activities and with fewer opportunities to leave their homes can enjoy a few days of vacation with a volunteer.
“There are people who think that the elderly do not have that need for vacations and to escape from routine, but an increase in loneliness is detected on these dates; They are people who have a very small social network, they see how their neighbors have gone on vacation and they lock themselves in their homes due to the heat”, says the entity’s spokesman José Angel Palacios.
“They are trips from Friday to Sunday to destinations such as the mountains of Madrid or quiet towns in other communities that have adapted hotels; They carry out coexistence activities with other elderly people and also with their volunteer who sleeps with them and always accompanies them. They can be for one day if the person needs to go home to sleep. It is a healthy program for the mental and emotional state ”, he emphasizes.
The majority profile is female, around 80 years old, living alone and with mobility problems. Like María Luisa, 79, who has not traveled for five years. “I want to go on the Great Friends vacation to meet people, have a good time and have fun, because I am alone here. I have no one, ”she points out.