Loving our elderly loved ones is the greatest gift on earth. Keeping them safe during summer heat is vital. While the news is filled with heartbreaking accounts of children left in cars, they’re not the only ones in danger. Your elderly loved one might say they are fine being left in the car, but it’s NOT OK! It only takes minutes for the heat in a vehicle to turn deadly.
In the summer heat, cars are like ovens. Even leaving a window down does little to prevent heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Our elderly loved ones should NOT be left in vehicles. Many times, mobility issues and the use of wheelchairs, walkers, and canes will be the reason for not moving out of a car. If your loved ones have difficulty making decisions, especially those with dementia or other cognitive concerns, they must be protected.
How Hot Do Cars Get?
Hot enough to incapacitate and kill! Extreme heat can cause organ failure. Normal body temperature is 98.6°F. In a hot car, temperatures can rise very fast, 15–20 degrees, even in the shade. Further, loved ones face more medical issues, and their bodies don’t regulate heat as well as they once did. The elderly are “at risk” for vehicular heat death due to not only medical and cognitive issues, but also mobility and being physically unable to get a car door open.
You Can Prevent a Tragedy!
The greatest tragedy of lethal car death is that they are preventable! As a caregiver, you are responsible for keeping your loved one safe. Leaving an elder in a hot car is a sign of abuse and can be prosecuted. Leaving your loved ones in a hot car is not an option! Don’t do it!
As Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, leaving an elder loved one in a hot car can be grounds for negligence, especially if it leads to injury or harm. Moreover, depending on the seriousness of the position and the level of care, it may be considered elder abuse or neglect, which can have legal consequences. Be Safe! Be Well!
Dr. Cynthia J. Hickman is a retired registered nurse and case manager who serves as the CEO of Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate. She’s excited to share her latest book, The Essential Caregiver Training Course for Corporations and Community. Her previous works, From the Lens of Daughter, Nurse, and Caregiver: A Journey of Duty and Honor and The Black Book of Important Information for Caregivers, reflect her experiences and insights gained during her heartfelt caregiving journey.