The heat-wave that has blanketed the province for much of the last week has been been a challenge for some, especially seniors or those living with pre-existing conditions. The extreme weather is something that staff at Lac La Biche's Points West Living have paid careful attention to. Residents at the seniors' complex can be uniquely affected by the constant heat.
“Like any adverse weather, the heat has affected our residents," said Theresa Cardinal, the office administrator at Points West. "For those that are able, such as our Independent Living residents, they have been keeping their window coverings closed, using and purchasing portable oscillating fans, they congregate in areas such as the cottage living rooms where it is typically much cooler or they leave the building and go stay with family."
Older adults are more vulnerable to getting heat stroke when temperatures are high because of the body's decreased capacity to adapt to changes in body temperature. Cardinal spoke further to give advice to seniors who may be living alone and are unable to find ways to deal with this heatwave properly.
“Get out of the sun and into a cool place if possible, drink plenty of fluids – water is best – avoid alcohol and excessive caffeine, have a shower or sponge bath with cool water, lie down and rest in a cool place and seek medical attention if you are feeling sick due to the heat,” she said.
Cool desserts, popsicles, cold water, ice cream and freezies on ‘travelling cart’ for seniors
For seniors with pre-existing health conditions or mental challenges, there is programming available to make it easier to cope with the extreme conditions.
“In memory care, we are treating plus-30 above like minus-30 below, we are staying indoors and doing low impact activities such as coloring, mini putt and lawn darts with plenty of music and movies to help beat the heat," said Mary Jane Carmichael, a care aide at Points West. "When we venture out in the cool of the morning, sun hats and sun screen are a must."
Even the kitchen staff at the seniors facility are helping residents to beat the heat.
“Our kitchen supervisor has been super at providing cool desserts and afternoon ‘travelling cart’ with popsicles, ice cream, freezies, cold pop and water," Carmichael said.
Adults over 65 don’t sweat as much as younger adults, which is one of the body’s most important heat-regulation mechanisms – this creates a large issue at hand. Seniors also store fat differently, which further complicates heat-regulation throughout the body.
“We are taking extra care to ensure adequate hydration for both residents and staff by taking ‘juice breaks,’ a few moments to just stop and drink a cool glass of juice or water,” said Brent Hughes, the Food Services Supervisor at the Lac La Biche Points West location.
Alberta Health and Environment Canada issued heat warnings over the last week. Early warning signs of heat exhaustion, which may lead to the more serious heat stroke, include excessive sweating, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache and muscle cramps. Then as exhaustion progresses, symptoms may progress to nausea, vomiting and fainting. Heat stroke, though, is more serious, and it can set in within 10-15 minutes.
On Sunday, the Environment Canada heat warnings for communities across the province began to be removed as a cold air front began to move across the province from BC. Daytime temperatures across the Lakeland to start this week in the mid to low 20s. A week before, those temperatures were ten degrees higher, setting historic temperature records across the Lakeland and the province. Temperatures towards the end of the week are forecast to rise to near 30 degrees Celsius, keeping many of the extreme weather prevention measures in play.
