What can a Long Term Care Facility do to prevent heatstroke?
Facility staff awareness of their residents’ susceptibility to heatstroke and staff knowledge of the urgency of heatstroke recognition and treatment are important. Facility staff must be alert to symptoms of heatstroke in their residents. The following specific recommendations apply to LTC residents, regardless of age: • Keep vulnerable residents in an air-conditioned environment • Ensure that residents maintain adequate fluid intake • Avoid exertion, exercise, and prolonged exposure in the Texas summer heat • Review each resident’s medications and revise medications in a manner that avoids drugs that can cause volume depletion (dehydration) and poikilothermia (blunted temperature regulation) Facilities should monitor the use of drugs that predispose their residents to heatstroke, and give reduced doses during the hot summer months whenever possible.
