Summertime is the season many people look forward each year. But with the warmer weather comes an increased risk of heat stress – especially for older adults. Heat-related stress can occur if you are exposed to high temperatures for too long without hydrating properly, such as during heat waves or high-humidity weather. Make sure you know the signs and what to do to prevent it.
Heat Stroke vs. Heat Exhaustion
Heat stroke is a serious illness that causes the body’s temperature to rise rapidly to 104 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes and be unable to cool down due to the inability to sweat. Signs include fainting, becoming confused, agitated, acting strangely, or staggering, a rapid pulse or slow, weak pulse.
Heat exhaustion is a milder illness, but if not treated, can progress to heat stroke. Signs include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, and fainting.
How To Stay Cool in the Heat
- Stay hydrated by drinking cool, nonalcoholic beverages.
- Take it easy in warm weather, ideally in an air-conditioned environment.
- Take a cool shower.
- Wear lightweight clothing.
- Make sure your health plan is in your corner.
As a leader in senior care, Hartford HealthCare is dedicated to helping you lead a healthy lifestyle. And that includes health care coverage. Imagine a Medicare plan that puts your health and well-being at the center of care? A plan that offers support to doctors to help get you the best care possible. That’s CarePartners of Connecticut.
As the state’s only Medicare Advantage plan created with Hartford HealthCare doctors, CarePartners of Connecticut’s local, licensed Medicare Agents can answer all your Medicare questions.
Get in touch with CarePartners of Connecticut at 1.844.411.8863 (TTY: 711) today.
We contract with other Medicare Advantage/Part D plans. CarePartners of Connecticut complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.
ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1.888.341.1507 (TTY: 711).