Knowledge Is Power: Protect Older Adults Against High and Sustained Heat Events

Author: Erica K. Husser & Erin Kitt-Lewis

Year: 2024

Published in: Journal of Gerontological Nursing

With rising summer temperatures driven by climate change, vulnerable populations, particularly older adults, face increased heat risks. The year 2023 set new heat records, and for the first time, global temperatures broke records for 12 consecutive months. Older adults, who suffer the most heat-related deaths annually, face heightened danger due to reduced circulatory function, inefficient sweating, and the effects of certain medications. Additionally, low-income and communities of color are more exposed to heat risks and have fewer resources for prevention. Extreme heat also affects cognition, increasing the risk of delirium in those with cognitive impairments. Misperceptions about personal risk levels can delay protective actions among older adults.