National HVAC Day – Air Conditioning as a Life Saver

Today is National HVAC Day! HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning.

Why is air conditioning especially important for older adults?

Having an air conditioning system can be potentially life saving for seniors, especially when outdoor temperatures reach an unbearable high. Unfortunately, hundreds of senior a year die due to heat-related or induced causes.

Simply put, seniors cannot tolerate the heat as well as younger individuals. As people age, the body’s ability to regulate temperature often becomes impaired due to the natural aging process. This stems from several factors including: sweat glands tending to disappear as we age, a natural decrease in circulation of seniors, chronic disease or taking certain medications. Some elders may also find it challenging to determine when they are thirsty since their taste buds diminish with age.

Cognitive decline, dementia or Alzheimer’s compounds risks for seniors in hot temperatures because they may not be aware that it is so hot outside and heat may make them further confused.

HVAC can be a life-saver for seniors, especially during hot weather.