New heatwave in Germany: What seniors should consider now

Summer is here, and Germany is sweating. The heat is taking its toll on many people – especially the elderly. "Their bodies often react much more strongly to the high temperatures," says Michael Schneider, senior physician at the Protestant Center for Geriatric Medicine in Potsdam. Those who want to truly enjoy the summer in old age should therefore follow a few tips.

Why do seniors struggle so much with high temperatures? There's a physiological reason for this: "Older people have significantly less water in their bodies, but slightly more fat," says Hans Jürgen Heppner, Director of the Geriatrics Clinic at Bayreuth Hospital. Furthermore, older people naturally have a lower sense of thirst—the reason for this has not yet been conclusively researched.

The guide for health, well-being, and the whole family - every other Thursday.

By subscribing to the newsletter, I agree to the advertising agreement .

To make matters worse, many seniors take medications that lead to increased fluid loss. This lack of water can disrupt blood circulation and the supply of important minerals, for example to the brain. This also explains why many dehydrated people appear confused or absent-minded.

Water is essential in hot weather – regardless of age. Especially for seniors, due to their low thirst, it's all about drinking, drinking, and then drinking some more. Heppner recommends at least one and a half liters on hot days – in addition to whatever you drink with your meal. "The best options are mineral water, an effervescent tablet, or an isotonic drink."

However, this value is only a guideline—it can be more or less depending on the individual. It depends on whether and how physically active a person is. The daily intake should not be less than one liter, but in summer it should be a bit more anyway. The first signs of dehydration are headaches and difficulty concentrating; confusion is often added, especially in older people.

To ensure older adults meet their fluid needs, they should establish a consistent drinking schedule. For example, you can fill up your daily intake first thing in the morning and place it in a prominent place in your home. Or you can make a commitment to drink at least one glass with every meal.

Older people have a reduced sense of thirst. To ensure they still drink enough water in the summer, seniors should establish a drinking schedule.

Source: epd

The drink should also taste good, by the way. Water is usually the best choice—just a bit boring. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends spicing it up with something like ginger, mint, or orange slices. Even juice isn't taboo, says Ingrid Dänschel, a member of the board of the German General Practitioners Association. Quite the opposite: "A juice spritzer made from one-third juice and two-thirds water can be better than water. This way, you replenish the electrolytes you lose through sweating."

But be careful: Too much water isn't good for you at some point. Even in summer, you shouldn't overdo it. "Simply drinking more and more without limit isn't good for your heart at some point," says Dänschel. Anyone with heart problems shouldn't drink too much either. "At the very latest, when your feet start to swell, you should stop and consult your doctor." Dietrich Andresen of the German Heart Foundation therefore advises older heart patients to determine their daily drinking amount with their doctor.

But drinking alone isn't enough in the summer. "At some point, it's more hot than you can possibly drink," says Christine Sowinski of the German Board of Trustees for the Elderly (KDA). She therefore recommends changing your daily routine, at least in midsummer – following the example of southern countries. "So get up relatively early, air out the apartment, and do things like shopping. And then close the windows again at 11 a.m., darken the apartment, and take a long nap."

This means that sleep is split into two parts, afternoon and night – after all, getting a good, long night's sleep is difficult in high temperatures anyway. Instead, you should take advantage of the long light hours, says Sowinski. "Then you can get things done in the early evening or meet up with friends, for example."

High temperatures are especially troublesome for many people at night. But sleep problems don't have to be a problem despite the heat. Here are some tips for falling asleep well in the summer.

If you have trouble sleeping due to the heat, you should remove the duvet cover and sleep only under the cover. Another helpful option is a "cooling bottle." Fill a hot water bottle with water and place it in the refrigerator for three hours. Then store it at the foot of the bed.

However, even in the morning and evening, don't leave the house without sunscreen. A hat is mandatory, as is sunscreen. "Sun damage from childhood or adolescence often only becomes apparent in old age," says Dänschel. "These damaged areas of skin in particular should be given special protection and applied with sunscreen with at least SPF 30." Also important, the doctor says, are the forehead and scalp, especially for bald men, as well as the ears. These sensitive areas are often exposed to full sun but are often overlooked.

With this protection, there's nothing wrong with a trip out in the sun—quite the opposite. It shows that summer also has its good sides: "The sun is also therapeutic. Light and warmth have a positive effect on all sorts of bodily processes," says Sowinski.

Generally, exercise is helpful. Keeping your body active helps you cope better with the heat. However, it's better to use the cooler morning hours for gardening or shopping. Seniors should definitely avoid the sun at midday. However, if you're worried that shopping or gardening will be too much for you on hot days, don't be afraid to ask someone for help. This could be family members or neighbors.

Since electrolyte balance can also become disrupted on hot days, Brigitte Buchwald-Lancaster, an expert in geriatric medicine at Munich's Municipal Hospital, recommends vegetable or meat broth. This balances salt levels. Otherwise, it's recommended to eat foods rich in vitamins, but not too heavy or high in fat. Several small meals put less strain on the digestive system.

In general, healthy, enjoyable eating is easier in summer. "There's a large and varied selection of local fruits and vegetables – this is not only more sustainable, but often also more nutritious," says DGE expert Theresa Stachelscheid. "Because overseas fruits and vegetables often have lower nutrient content due to long storage and transport."

However, you should consume fruit and vegetables quickly – and especially meat, sausage, and other refrigerated items. Because things that can spoil spoil even faster in the summer. The consequences can be diarrhea, for example, "which can be significantly more serious in the summer," warns Dänschel.

We last updated this article on June 29, 2024.

RND/dpa/bk