A little sun feels good, but too much can be deadly. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to heat stroke. To protect patients and reduce liability, healthcare providers should assess their policies and practices to reduce the risk of heat-related injuries.

Memory Care Facility Hit with Wrongful Death Suit

According to Willamette Week, a 76-year-old woman died of hyperthermia after being left out in the sun on a hot day at a memory care facility in Bend, Oregon. The temperature was nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but the woman was dressed for much colder weather: in long pants, a sweater, and a heavy fleece top. An investigation revealed that several workers had called in sick that day, and it’s believed the woman was left out for hours before she was discovered nonresponsive. The woman’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking $17 million in damages.

Seniors Have a Higher Risk

The CDC says people aged 65 and above are more prone to heat-related health problems. Their bodies cannot adjust to sudden changes in temperature as well as younger bodies can. At the same time, they may have chronic health conditions and prescription medications that increase their sensitivity to heat.

Seniors with dementia may have even higher risks. According to research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias affect thermoregulatory processes, making patients vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. At the same time, people with dementia may have trouble recognizing or responding to the signs of heat-related illness.

Indoor and Outdoor Heat Risks

Heat-related illness may strike outdoors on hot days, but that’s not the only possibility. Just as children may die if they are left in hot cars, seniors may become dangerously sick if they are kept waiting in hot vehicles – for example, while being transported to a medical facility or on an outing.

Heat stroke may even occur indoors – for example, if the air conditioner breaks on a hot day or if a heater is turned up to high. According to Terry Law Firm, a malfunctioning furnace at a nursing home caused a resident’s room to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in heat stroke. A similar incident could happen at an assisted living facility. This is especially dangerous if the resident is vulnerable due to health issues.

Protecting Residents from Heat-Related Injuries

Healthcare providers can keep seniors safe and reduce their potential liability by taking steps to prevent heat-related illness.

• Raise awareness. If your workers don’t realize that seniors are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness, they may not take the necessary precautions to keep them safe. Educate your staff on the risks.
• Help seniors to stay cool and hydrated. The National Institute on Aging recommends avoiding outdoor physical activity when it’s hot, using broad spectrum sunscreen, wearing lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothes, and drinking plenty of water, juice, or drinks with electrolytes.
• Monitor HVAC systems. A malfunctioning air conditioning system or furnace may be an emergency.
• Recognize the symptoms of heat-related illness. Educate your team to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), signs of heat exhaustion include pale, ashen, or moist skin; muscle cramps; fatigue, weakness, or exhaustion; headache, dizziness, or fainting; nausea or vomiting; and rapid heart rate. The signs of heat stroke include a body temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit; flushed, dry, and hot skin; rapid breathing; headache, dizziness, confusion, or altered mental status; irrational or belligerent behavior; and convulsion or unresponsiveness.
• Respond appropriately. If someone shows signs of heat exhaustion, the NSC says you should move them to a shaded or air-conditioned area, give them water or another non-alcoholic beverage, and apply wet towels or have them take a cool shower. For more serious heat stroke symptoms, call 911, move the victim to a cool place, and help the victim cool down by removing unnecessary clothes or immersing them in cold water up to the neck. Give CPR if necessary, but do not force the victim to drink water or let them take pain relievers.

When in doubt, always seek medical attention. Heat stroke can be deadly.

Need more help controlling your risks?

LaPorte offers insurance programs designed for healthcare companies, as well as an in-house claims administrator and numerous risk management resources via our INSource website.