Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Edith Tauer
Ecumen honors Edith Tauer, a resident of Ecumen Lakeview Commons in Maplewood, Minn., who is 100.
Luther Park at Sandpoint, Idaho Voted Best Senior Living Community
Ecumen-managed Luther Park at Sandpoint, ID, has been voted the “best senior living community” in Bonner County in a reader survey conducted by the Bonner County Daily Bee newspaper.
Top 5 Blog Posts — August 1, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
Ecumen’s Velocity Leadership Program Graduates Class of 2016
The Ecumen Velocity class of 2016 has just graduated from the year-long program focused on building leadership skills and developing innovative approaches to aging services.
The Day Ecumen Prairie Lodge Became a Dance Hall
A spirited dance troupe recently transformed Ecumen Prairie Lodge in Brooklyn Center into a makeshift dance hall full of smiles, memories and movement.
Honoring Ha Thu Rethwisch: Exemplary Nursing Assistant at Ecumen Detroit Lakes for 40+ Years
Ha Thu Rethwisch has dedicated more than 40 years to serving the residents of Ecumen Detroit Lakes with dignity and compassion as a Nursing Assistant.
Abiitan Mill City Executive Director Erwan Moison Speaks the Language of Hospitality
When it comes to customer service, Abiitan Mill City's new Executive Director does not mince words.
Why and How To Be a Hospice Volunteer: Your Questions Answered
Cori Ballew, Ecumen Hospice Volunteer Specialist, talks about how and why to become a hospice volunteer.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
Honoring Ha Thu Rethwisch: Exemplary Nursing Assistant at Ecumen Detroit Lakes for 40+ Years
Ha Thu Rethwisch has dedicated more than 40 years to serving the residents of Ecumen Detroit Lakes with dignity and compassion as a Nursing Assistant.
Ecumen’s Velocity Leadership Program Graduates Class of 2016
The Ecumen Velocity class of 2016 has just graduated from the year-long program focused on building leadership skills and developing innovative approaches to aging services.
Warm Water Fitness at Ecumen Detroit Lakes
Ecumen Detroit Lakes recently installed a warm water aquatic pool that is becoming a big hit with area residents.
10 Things To Know About Hospice
Hospice is not a topic people tend to seek information about — until they need it.
Top 5 Blog Posts — July 25, 2016
Did you miss last week's most-read Changing Aging blog posts? Ecumen's online visitors found these articles most interesting:
The Day Ecumen Prairie Lodge Became a Dance Hall
A spirited dance troupe recently transformed Ecumen Prairie Lodge in Brooklyn Center into a makeshift dance hall full of smiles, memories and movement.
Abiitan Mill City Executive Director Erwan Moison Speaks the Language of Hospitality
When it comes to customer service, Abiitan Mill City's new Executive Director does not mince words.
Ecumen Pathstone Living Voted Best Senior Community in Mankato
Ecumen Pathstone Living has been voted best senior living community in Mankato by readers of Mankato Magazine.
Why and How To Be a Hospice Volunteer: Your Questions Answered
Cori Ballew, Ecumen Hospice Volunteer Specialist, talks about how and why to become a hospice volunteer.
Centenarian and Navy Veteran Doris Brand Taught Kids to Read and Pilots to Fly
Doris Brand, who is 101, was born during World War I, taught in a one-room school in the 1920s, weathered the Great Depression, and became a Navy flight instructor in World War II.
You can read these articles and more at ecumen.org.
The Day Ecumen Prairie Lodge Became a Dance Hall
A spirited dance troupe recently transformed Ecumen Prairie Lodge in Brooklyn Center into a makeshift dance hall full of smiles, memories and movement.
Tips for Recognizing Heat Stroke in Older Adults
Older adults (that is, people aged 65 years and older) are more prone to heat stress than younger people for several reasons:
- Older adults do not adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature.
- They are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat.
- They are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body's ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat, and it is unable to cool down. Body temperatures rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke
Warning signs vary but may include the following:
- An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
- Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.
Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion
Warning signs vary but may include the following:
- Heavy sweating
- Paleness
- Muscle Cramps
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fainting
- Skin: may be cool and moist
- Pulse rate: fast and weak
- Breathing: fast and shallow
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
You can follow these prevention tips to protect yourself from heat-related stress:
- Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages. (If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink when the weather is hot. Also, avoid extremely cold liquids because they can cause cramps.)
- Rest.
- Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
- If possible, seek an air-conditioned environment. (If you don't have air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned shopping mall or public library to cool off.)
- Wear lightweight clothing.
- If possible, remain indoors in the heat of the day.
- Do not engage in strenuous activities.
What You Can Do to Help Protect Older Adult Relatives and Neighbors
If you have older adult relatives or neighbors, you can help them protect themselves from heat-related stress:
- Visit older adults at risk at least twice a day and watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- Encourage them to increase their fluid intake by drinking cool, nonalcoholic beverages regardless of their activity level.
- Warning: If their doctor generally limits the amount of fluid they drink or they are on water pills, they will need to ask their doctor how much they should drink while the weather is hot.
- Take them to air-conditioned locations if they have transportation problems.
What You Can Do for Someone With Heat Stress
If you see any signs of severe heat stress, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the affected person. Do the following:
- Get the person to a shady area.
- Photo of water coming out of shower head.Cool the person rapidly, using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the person in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the person with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the person in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
- Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101°–102°F
- If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
- Do not give the person alcohol to drink.
- Get medical assistance as soon as possible.
Original article can be viewed at: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/older-adults-heat.asp. Content provided and maintained by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).