Insist facilities give residents cool rooms

My staff started visiting health care facilities last week as we do every year when temperatures exceed 90 degrees for more than one day. It seems that some staffers at those facilities and families need to refresh their knowledge.
  It is estimated that 371 deaths occur in the United States every year due to heat stroke. Many of the deaths are the result of high temperatures, and nearly half of the victims are 65 and older.  Prolonged exposure to heat takes its toll on the body, interfering with its ability to cool off.  Older adults are more susceptible, with the aging process rendering the body less efficient in reacting to heat.
  Although extreme hot weather can affect anyone, factors that increase the risk for heat-related illness are: advanced age, heart, lung or kidney disease; medications; high blood pressure; diabetes, and long-term residency care. All heat-related illness is preventable. 
  Some of the symptoms of heat exposure may include headache, nausea, vomiting and exhaustion. Long-term care facilities are not required to have air conditioners in residents’ rooms. However, there does have to be one large air conditioned room where residents can go to be cool, and non-ambulatory residents should be taken to the designated area. In addition, a severe respiratory condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema may require a resident to be in an air conditioned room.
  Families should inquire if they are allowed to bring in an air conditioner for a relative in a long-term care facility. Any electrical device has to be checked for safety by the facility to prevent fires. Also, roommates must be agreeable to the air conditioner. Some facility operators will ask that the additional electricity used by an air conditioner is paid by the family. Just remember fans will not protect a resident against heat-related illnesses when temperatures reach 90 degrees with 35 percent or higher humidity. Being a former infection control nurse, I always worry about the germs that are blown around by fans.
  Some helpful environmental tips to cope with the heat are: turn off lights that are not necessary; dress in light-weight clothing; open windows on opposite sides of buildings at night to promote air flow; and curtains, shades or blinds should be drawn during daytime hours. 
  Also, electrical cords should be against walls to prevent staff members and residents from tripping, and overloaded sockets or rigged extension cords may cause fires.
  Please be sure that your elderly relatives stay hydrated by drinking extra fluids such as water and fruit juice and consuming popsicles, sherbet, ice cream or Jell-O. Some of the medications that the elderly take to control heart problems or hypertension contain diuretics, which also drain the body of fluids.
  Don’t be afraid to speak up. If your family member is not being kept comfortable or receiving adequate hydration, ask to speak to the administrator of the facility. It is my recommendation that you work within the facility first. If you are not satisfied with the response or there is no follow-up, contact the state Department of Health at (401) 222-5200 or the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care at (401) 785-3340.
 
Kathleen Heren is executive director of the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care.