While summer brings us warmth and bloom, prolonged exposure to excessive heat in summer months can be dangerous.

This is especially true for older adults. Every summer, more than 600 Americans die of health problems caused by excessive heat and humidity. Older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions are at high risk of developing heat-related illnesses, because of aging-related physical changes in the body, chronic health conditions, and even effects of taking some medications.

Here’s a list of health problems caused by exposure to too much heat:

Dehydration

• What it is: A loss of water in your body. It can be serious if not treated.
• Warning signs: Weakness, headache, muscle cramps, dizziness, confusion, and passing out.
• What to do: Drink plenty of water and, if possible, sports drinks such as Gatorade™, which contain important salts called “electrolytes.” Among other things, electrolytes play a key role in regulating your heartbeat. Your body loses electrolytes when you’re dehydrated. If you don’t feel better, call 911. If you feel better after drinking fluids but have medical conditions like heart failure or take diuretics (“water pills”), you should also call your healthcare provider for a follow-up.

Heat stroke

• What it is: A very dangerous rise in your body temperature, which may happen gradually over days of heat exposure in older adults. It can be deadly.
• Warning signs: A body temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher; red, hot, and dry skin; a fast pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea or vomiting; confusion or lethargy; and passing out.
• What to do: Call 911 immediately. Move to a cool, shady place and take off or loosen heavy clothes. If possible, douse yourself with cool water, or put cloths soaked with cool water on your wrists, ankles, armpits, and neck to lower your temperature. Try to see if you can safely swallow water or sports drinks while waiting for 911.
• Note: If you are caring for someone else who has heat stroke, only give them water or drinks if they are awake and can swallow. Do not try to give fluids by mouth if the person is drowsy, as it could cause choking.

Heat Exhaustion

• What it is: A serious health problem caused by too much heat and dehydration. If not treated, it may lead to heat stroke (see above).
• Warning signs: Heavy sweating or no sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, paleness, cold or clammy skin, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fast and weak pulse, fainting. The body temperature is generally between 98.6°F (37°C) and 104°F (40°C).
• What to do: Without delay, move to a cool, shady place, and drink plenty of cool fluids, such as water or sports drinks. Call 911 right away if you have high blood pressure or heart problems, or if you do not feel better quickly after moving to the shade and drinking liquids.

Click the buttons below to download and print these handy hot weather safety tips!

Tips to Stay Safe in Hot Weather 

Why can extreme weather be even more dangerous for older adults than for younger people? Hotter days can cause difficulty in the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. This can be challenging for older adults who typically do not adjust as well as others to sudden temperature changes.

Here's a few things you can do to lower your risk of heat-related illness:

• Drink plenty of liquids, such as water, fruit or vegetable juices, or drinks that contain electrolytes. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages. If your doctor has told you to limit your liquids, ask what you should do when it is very hot.
• If you live in a home without air conditioning or fans, try to keep your space as cool as possible. Limit use of the oven; keep shades, blinds, or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day; and open windows at night.
• If your living space is hot, try to spend time during midday in a place that has air conditioning. For example, go to the shopping mall, movies, library, senior center, or a friend’s home. You may also contact your local health department or city to find out if they have air-conditioned shelters in your area.
• If you need help getting to a cooler place, ask a friend or relative. Don’t stand outside in the heat waiting for a bus. Some religious groups, senior centers provide this service. You could also consider taking a taxi or other car service or calling your local government to see if they offer senior transportation.
• Dress for the weather. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Natural fabrics such as cotton may feel cooler than synthetic fibers.
• Avoid outdoor exercising and other physical activity when it is very hot. Instead, try to find someplace where you can be active while staying cool indoors. If you must go outside, try to limit your time out and avoid crowded places. Plan trips during non-rush-hour times.
• Make sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher, and reapply it throughout the day, especially if your skin will have continuous exposure to the sun. Wear a hat and other protective clothing, and sunglasses. If you do get sunburned, stay out of the sun until your skin is healed and use cool cloths and moisturizers to treat the affected area.
• Ask your doctor if any of your medications make you more likely to become overheated or sunburned.

Financial scams are everywhere these days and no one is immune. And sometimes it leaves older adults with no way to recoup their losses. When it comes to stopping online scammers, knowledge is power.

Below, we cover the most common scams targeting older adults.

1. The grandparent scam The grandparent scam is so effective because it exploits people’s emotions. First, a caller gains trust by tricking their target into volunteering information, like a grandchild’s name. They may say something like, “Hi Gram, do you know who this is?” Then, with that name at the ready, they impersonate the grandchild.

2. Financial services scam These cons work because they appear to come from a legitimate source: a bank, a mortgage company, or a debt collection agency. Scammers call, text, or send email messages that look and sound perfectly legitimate. They may claim that a checking or savings account has been compromised and ask for personal information, such as a password or Social Security number, to “secure” it. They may promise better rates or terms on a home loan. Or they may threaten arrest for unpaid medical bills—which may or may not exist.

3. Tech support scams These scams prey upon the doubts and discomforts that many people have around computers. In fact, when it comes to fraud committed against older adults, tech support scams top the list.2 How do they work? Typically, a person’s computer or phone screen will freeze or go blank. A pop-up message will appear with a phone number to dial for help. When the user calls it, the scammer on the other end will ask for permission to log on to the device remotely. This fake “tech support” representative also may demand a fee to repair the “issue.”

4. Government impersonation scams

In government impersonation scams (also known as government imposter scams), callers pretend to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration, or Medicare. They threaten to arrest or deport the person who picks up the phone if they don’t pay their “unpaid taxes”. Or, they may threaten to cut off Social Security or Medicare benefits unless the person provides personal details. This information can then be used to commit identity theft.

Government imposters may demand prepaid debit cards, cash, or wire transfers as payment. Using special technology, they often “spoof” the actual phone number of a government agency or call from the same ZIP code (202 for Washington, D.C., for example). This can trick some people into thinking the caller is from a valid source.

5. Romance scams As more people turn to online dating, con artists are seizing the opportunity. Romance scammers create fake social media profiles and use them to gain trust and steal money. In some cases, these scammers may be (or pretend to be) overseas.

They may ask their victims to pay for visas, medical emergencies, and travel expenses to come to the U.S. Romance scams (also called sweetheart scams) can drag out for a long time.

As a result, victims often lose a lot of money. The FTC found that in 2023 alone, more than 64,000 people reported a romance scam, with losses totaling $1.1 billion.

Get tips for avoiding sweetheart scams here.

What to do if you think you've been scammed

Scams are specifically designed to catch us off guard, and they can happen to anyone. There’s nothing to be ashamed of if you think it’s happened to you. Keep important phone numbers handy, including the local police, your bank, and Adult Protective Services.

To obtain the contact information for Adult Protective Services in your area, call the Eldercare Locator, a government-sponsored national resource line, at 1-800-677-1116 or visit their website.

You can also report scams online to the FTC. Sharing your experience can help prevent it from happening to someone else.

Everyone needs social connections to survive and thrive.

But as people age, they often spend more time alone. Being alone makes people more vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation. Studies show that loneliness and social isolation are linked to higher risks for serious health problems such as heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. 

Are You at Risk? 

You or a loved one may be more likely to feel lonely or socially isolated if any of the following apply:

• Live alone 
• Can’t leave home
• Are a caregiver 
• Have trouble hearing 
• Had a major loss or life change, such as the death of a partner 
• Live in a rural and/or unsafe neighborhood 
• Feel a lack of purpose

Tips for Staying Connected 

You can help protect against the negative effects of loneliness and social isolation by staying active and connecting with others.

Consider these tips: 

• Schedule time each day to contact family, friends, and neighbors in person, by phone, email, video chat, or social media. 
• Restart an old hobby. 
• Take a class to learn something new. Sign up for an online or in-person class at your local public library or community center. 
• Volunteer to help others in your community. 
• Adopt a pet if you are able to care for them. 

For More Information 

Find tips and resources at www.nia.nih.gov/CommitToConnect, or call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 to connect with resources and services in your community.

Healthy aging starts with everyday choices.

Eating well and staying active can help you feel your best and reduce the risk of chronic disease as you age.

Explore the resources below to discover practical ways to build a nutritious meal plan and adopt sustainable eating habits. Even small changes can make a big difference. These tips can help you get the most from your meals and beverages—supporting your nutrient needs and long-term health.

Here are ways that may help foster healthy aging:

• Enjoy a variety of foods from each food group to help reduce the risk of developing diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium.
• Try to get enough protein throughout the day and maintain muscle by adding seafood, dairy, or fortified soy products along with beans, peas, and lentils to your meals. Learn more about protein and other important nutrients.
• Add sliced or chopped fruits and vegetables to meals and snacks. Look for pre-cut varieties if slicing and chopping are a challenge for you.
• Try foods fortified with vitamin B12, such as some cereals, or talk to your doctor about taking a B12 supplement. Learn more about key vitamins and minerals.
• Reduce sodium intake by seasoning foods with herbs and citrus such as lemon juice.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help stay hydrated and aid in the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. Avoid sugary drinks.
• Check out this month's healthy recipes below, featuring seasonal ingredients, fresh picked by our health promotion team especially for you!

We have teamed up with GetSetUp to provide hundreds of live online classes to keep you mentally, physically, and socially active. Classes are interactive, easy to join, offered day and night and free for our community.

All those 60+ are welcome and workshops are free when using passcode "area4-ca". 

This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. The materials or product were a result of a project funded by a contract with the California Department of Aging.