As the ‘dog days’ of summer settle in for the duration of the season and the focus of many locals is on proper re-hydration and cooling following strenuous outdoor activities, it’s important to keep in mind that the elderly, our most precious natural resource, are also at risk during extreme heat.

When temperatures and humidity rise, Illinois nursing homes go on alert. Seniors are particularly susceptible to serious health complications from hot weather, including heat exhaustion and stroke, sunburns and dehydration. The Illinois Council on Long Term Care, an association of nursing home professionals, offers valuable tips to the public on how to keep seniors safe and comfortable during this summer’s heat wave.

“Many seniors are on medications such as diuretics that make them more prone to the burning rays of the sun,” said Susan Duda-Gardiner, director of the clinical services for the Illinois Council on Long Term Care (ICLTC). “Just a short period of time in the sun can cause some major health complications.”

Based on the expertise nursing home professionals have gained in serving the elderly, the ICLTC advises everyone take the following steps to protect seniors from the extreme heat.

— Use an air conditioner to keep rooms cool. If air conditioning is unavailable, open windows on opposite ends of the house or building to cross-ventilate and increase air flow.

— Regularly attend to individuals who are most at risk for heat-related illnesses, including elderly with heart, circulatory or pulmonary conditions. Many medicines, including those for heart conditions, depression and allergies, also can make a person more sensitive to heat stress.

— Ensure that seniors are wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that allows the body to release heat.

— A senior should always wear sun block when going outside, even if for a short period of time. Apply sunscreen one-half hour before heading outdoors. Not all clothes protect against sun exposure, so apply sunscreen liberally to all exposed areas, including under the sleeves and collar of a shirt or blouse.

— Wearing a hat that shades the face and covers the head is advised when spending time outdoors. Seniors who are sensitive to the sun should also cover their legs and refrain from wearing shorts.

— Seniors should always wear their sunglasses outdoors. Remember that the eyes of a senior take a longer time to adjust from light to dark. When going indoors, a senior should take off his or her sunglasses before entering the building to prevent an accident. It also is a good idea for a senior to pause for several moments once inside the door so that his or her eyes will have time to adjust to the diminished light.

One of the most important pieces of advice is that seniors should drink plenty of fluids during the hot summer months. Dehydration is a dangerous problem that can easily lead to hospitalization and become life threatening to an elderly person.

As persons are, their sense of thirst decreases, and by the time an elderly person feels thirsty, he or she may already be dehydrated. Common symptoms of dehydration include confusion, poor skin elasticity, cracked lips, a dry mouth and furrowed tongue. To assess the skin elasticity, gently pinch the skin over the breastbone or forehead. If the skin remains “tented,” this could be a sign of dehydration. Once these symptoms are noticed, seniors are advised to seek the immediate assistance of a medical professional.

Sometimes seniors need reminders from family members, friends and caregivers to help them stay well hydrated. Be sure to offer a variety of beverages throughout the day to protect the health of a loved one, including offering a full glass of water to a senior when taking medications.