The heat is on. July and August, for many of us, puts the temperatures up in an uncomfortable range. These stifling temps remind me of my mother-in-law. She had a wall air conditioner in her condominium, but she would not use it. Even though the noon hour was my usual time to see her, during hot weather I’d run over in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon, as well. I’d turn on her AC, as she’d sit with her windows closed, draperies closed and virtually no air.

I knew she wouldn’t want the AC on very cold, but she needed relief from the heat. I’d leave the AC running on low, and used a fan in her hall. Sure enough, the next time I was there–just a few hours later–she’d have the fan and AC off. I’d get her something cool to drink and adjust the AC and the fan, once more. It was a losing battle.

Making Sure Your Loved Ones Are Safe

Elders die from heat waves. They dehydrate easily. The heat situation was just one clue among many that my mother-in-law wasn’t doing well living on her own. We finally moved her across the avenue to the nursing home where my dad and uncle resided. There are many clues to dementia and my mother-in-law was showing a number of them. She couldn’t make any decisions. She was frightened and paranoid. She couldn’t regulate her surroundings to a comfortable level because she didn’t understand how to adjust things. Most importantly, to me, she seemed to be losing herself in a lonely nothingness.

Once moved into her room at the nursing home, all that was history. She absolutely bloomed in the safety and companionship the home offered. I still visited her every day, and she watched for me, but she made friends. She even went back to playing the piano. What a gift it was to know she was comfortable and happy. Granted, this is one of the most stellar success stories on the planet when it comes to nursing home adjustment, but her story does illustrate the fact that dreaded moves can turn out very well, once accomplished.

Even if your elder is fine alone, please make sure someone checks to see if the summer heat is an issue, or dehydration a danger. An elder who otherwise does well could become very ill during a stifling summer day.

Posted in Caring At Home, Health, In-home Care | No Comments »
Tags: at-home care, eldercare, Health