Ohio gets all four seasons, which brings as many problems as it does benefits. If you have a family member who needs support and now lives in a nursing home, then you need to familiarize yourself with some of the seasonal concerns surrounding the care that they receive.
Plenty of people understand how the winter might lead to unique needs for nursing home residents, as it is cold and flu season. With spring comes seasonal allergies and the increased risk of mold growth because of precipitation. In the summer, as temperatures climb, there is an entirely different risk factor that could affect not just your loved one’s comfort but even their life.
Older adults are at elevated risk for heatstroke and heat exhaustion
Hyperthermia is the medical term for a body temperature that is too high. When someone experiences heat exhaustion, their core temperature is higher than usual, making them uncomfortable, flushed and possibly putting them on the verge of unconsciousness.
If someone experiencing heat exhaustion doesn’t receive timely care, their symptoms can progress to heatstroke. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to drastic changes in temperature and the negative consequences of hyperthermia.
Unfortunately, many nursing home facilities are for-profit companies that are constantly trying to decrease their costs. Refusing to turn on the air-conditioning or invest in facility maintenance might mean that certain parts of the nursing home become far too hot for the safety of residents.
If a loved one has suffered a stroke or similar incident while in an assisted living facility, that could be a sign of negligence and grounds for you to file a nursing home negligence claim.
