Health issues

Heat stress especially acute for seniors

Personally I’d be happy in a climate that never got over 80 degrees, but that’s not going to happen. As heat rolls over the country (with more to come), just a reminder that it can be especially dangerous for older folks. If you are one, or you love one, or you just know one, keep it in mind. From LargoPatch: Although living in the Sunshine State means being able to enjoy warm weather and sunny days almost year-round, residents of Florida know that spending the summer here isn’t always easy. As beautiful as summer may be, the heat it brings is not something to be taken lightly. According to the National Weather Service, heat causes more deaths per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined, making it the number one weather related killer in the United States. Of even more concern is a report from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that states that seniors are more prone to heat stress than younger people. That puts Largo’s 34 percent of seniors 60 and over, based on the U.S. Census 2005-2009 American Community Survey, in the danger zone. Summer heat index values averaging 98 seniors need to take extra precaution to avoid heat related discomfort or a heat stroke.
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