Many people might
choose a nice, hot day
over a blustery, cold afternoon.
However, excessively
hot days can not only feel uncomfortable,
but they can also
prove life-threatening. Elderly
men and women, in particular,
are susceptible to the effects of
hot temperatures.
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention,
people ages 65 and older
are more prone to heat stroke
and heat-related stress than
those of other ages. Seniors’
bodies are not able to adjust
to sudden changes in temperature
as quickly as younger people’s.
A chronic condition that
affects the body’s response to
heat, as well as taking certain
prescription medications also
may play a role in seniors’ susceptibility
to the heat.
The City of Sacramento
Department of Parks and
Recreation says that around
370 deaths from heat-related
How to stretch retirement savings
COURIER LIFE, N 38 OVEMBER 15-21, 2019
illnesses occur across
the United States each year.
Nearly half of those deaths
are people who are 65 and
older. Prolonged heat exposure
can take quite a toll on
the average person. Factor
in the more delicate health
of many seniors, and the
hot weather can be quite
dangerous.
Further compounding
the problem is higher energy
costs. Seniors living on fi xed
incomes may not be able to
afford to turn on air conditioners
because of the power
draw.
There are different types of
heat-related injuries, though
heat exhaustion and heat
stroke are the most common.
Here are signs that a person
may be experiencing one or
the other.
Heat exhaustion
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fainting
• Fast, weak pulse rate
• Headache
• Fast and shallow breathing
Heat stroke
• Extremely high body temperature
(more than 105-degrees
F)
• Red, hot and dry skin
• Absence of sweat
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
What to do
Friends or family members
should check in with
an elderly relative when the
weather is especially warm
to ensure she is safely handling
the heat.
In addition, people of all
ages can take the following
precautions to keep cool
when the temperatures rise:
• Drink cool, nonalcoholic
beverages. Water and diluted
fruit juices can help rehydrate
the body quickly.
• Restrict physical activity.
• Take a cool shower or
bath or wipe yourself down
with a damp cloth.
• Seek an air-conditioned
environment. For those who
won’t or can’t turn on the air
conditioning, visit a shopping
mall or library to keep
cool. Some towns and cities
also make cooling centers
available in extreme heat.
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Try to remain indoors
during the hottest hours of
the day.
• Wear hats or use an umbrella
to shield your head
from sunshine outdoors.
• Eat cool foods, but avoid
extremely cold foods. Otherwise
you risk the chance of
developing stomach cramps.
Wellness
Elderly especially
susceptible to heat
Many budding retirees
plan to travel, relax,
and enjoy the company
of their spouses when
they offi cially stop working.
But such plans only are possible
if men and women take
steps to secure their fi nancial
futures in retirement.
According to a recent
survey by the personal fi -
nance education site MoneyTips.
com, roughly onethird
of Baby Boomers have
no retirement plan. The reason
some may have no plan
is they have misconceptions
about how much money they
will need in retirement. Successful
retirees understand
the steps to take and how to
live on a budget.
Have a plan. Many people
simply fail to plan for
retirement. Even men and
women who invest in an
employer-sponsored retirement
program, such as a
401(k), should not make that
the only retirement planning
they do. Speak with a
fi nancial advisor who can
help you develop a plan that
ensures you don’t outlive
your assets.
Set reasonable goals.
Retirement nest eggs do
not need to be enormous.
Many retirees have a net
worth of less than $1 million,
and many people live
comfortably on less than
$100,000 annually. When
planning for retirement,
don’t be dissuaded because
you won’t be buying
a vineyard or villa in Europe.
Set reasonable goals
for your retirement and
make sure you meet those
goals.
Recognize there is no
magic wealth-building
plan. Saving comes down to
formulating a plan specifi c
to your goals, resources,
abilities, and skills. Make
saving a priority and take
advantage of employersponsored
retirement programs
if they are offered.
Don’t underestimate
spending. You will need
money in retirement, and
it’s best that you don’t underestimate
just how much
you’re going to need. No one
wants to be stuck at home
during retirement, when
people typically want to enjoy
themselves and the freedom
that comes with retirement.
Speak to a fi nancial
planner to develop a reasonable
estimate of your living
expenses when you plan to
retire.
Pay down or avoid
debt while you can. Retiring
with debt is a big risk.
Try to eliminate all of your
debts before you retire and,
once you have, focus your
energy on growing your investments
and/or saving
money for retirement.
Start early on retirement
saving. It’s never
too early to begin saving
for retirement. Although
few twenty-somethings are
thinking about retirement,
the earlier you begin to invest
the more time you have
to grow your money. Enroll
in a retirement plan now so
you have a larger nest egg
when you reach retirement
age.