Nationwide study shows 20 percent of seniors may be at risk for heat-related illness…10 tips for keeping seniors safe in the Summer heat

NEW YORK, July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Living Independently Group, Inc., a leading behavioral monitoring company dedicated to helping seniors and other at-risk individuals live with greater safety and independence, today announced the results of a nationwide temperature study.

Primary results indicate that 20 percent of seniors may be at risk of a heat-related illness during the summer, due to the temperature in their residence exceeding 90 degrees.

"In many older people, normal aging results in their losing the sensation of thirst. This, combined with changes in body temperature regulation, can result in dehydration leading to confusion, falls and other preventable adverse events. Thus, knowing the ambient temperature in an older person's place of residence is very important, particularly in the hotter months of the year," said Dr. Robert Roush, Director of the Texas Consortium Geriatric Education Center, and a member of Living Independently Group's Medical Advisory Board.

Study Design

During December 2005 and May 2006, 100 elderly users of the QuietCare system, in either private homes or assisted living facilities (with individual room temperature controls) across the United States, were monitored. Over 40,000 temperature readings were taken four times a day-12:00 AM, 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 6:00 PM.

Study Findings

The average senior tended to keep his/her residence warm all year round, with women keeping their residences .4 degrees warmer than men. In December 2005, the average temperatures of a female and male residence were 74.8 degrees Fahrenheit and 74.4 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. In May 2006, the average temperatures of a female and male residence were 77.0 and 76.7 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Approximately 20 percent of the seniors in the study had incidences of household temperature 90 degrees and above during the study period. Additionally, on average, the 6:00 AM reading was found to be the coolest time while the 6:00 PM reading was found to be the warmest time in the elder's home.

"This study provides further evidence of the imminent need to monitor residences of elders, especially as we approach the hotter months," stated George Boyajian, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Strategy, Research & Development of Living Independently Group. "One of the most useful features of QuietCare is that it enables family members to easily keep track of temperature fluctuations in the elder's home. We also automatically send out an emergency alert should the temperature become dangerously high, above 92 degrees. Additionally, family members and caregivers can also keep track of their loved one's activity levels from anywhere by computer, by simply going to the QuietCare secure website and viewing easy-to-read reporting screens."

According to Louise Taft, Program Director, Telecare Services, Keystone Home Health and Hospice (Wyndmoor, PA), "In the case of our elderly patient Mr. Joseph B., QuietCare sent us an alert that his home was over 93 degrees, a danger point, and there was another QuietCare alert that there was very little activity in the house, suggesting that a serious problem might be developing. Each time I phoned him he said he was fine, but he sounded disoriented and was unaware of the elevated heat, which I could monitor on my computer screen thanks to QuietCare. We sent a nurse to check on him, who quickly sent him to the hospital, thus averting a crisis and quite possibly saving his life. Joseph was hydrated, his air conditioner problem was taken care of, and he's safe and back at home."

Commenting on medications and certain housing characteristics making seniors less adaptive to temperature changes, Ms. Taft continued, "Persons with chronic diseases of the heart or lungs may be more susceptible to the effects of high ambient temperature, especially if they take certain medications such as diuretics, beta blockers and tranquilizers, which may limit adaptive responses. Housing characteristics and behaviors specific to the elderly, including living alone, living on higher floors of apartment buildings, lacking air conditioning, and keeping windows and doors closed for safety reasons, may also increase mortality from heat exposure. QuietCare would be an invaluable tool for these seniors to help caregivers ensure that the temperature in their room does not reach extreme levels."

The summer season is upon us, which makes it important to start thinking about preventing heat-related illness. Each year in the United States, exposure to excessive natural heat results in approximately 400 deaths, all of which are considered preventable. In particular, heat waves contribute to the deaths of the elderly because an elderly person's body temperature may rise when he or she is unable to rid the body of excess heat or when the body produces too much heat. Seniors have a harder time adjusting to higher temperatures and humidity than younger individuals. Even temperatures in the low 90s can be very dangerous for seniors. In addition, certain medical conditions and medications can predispose seniors to heat related illnesses.

In many instances, heat waves contribute to the deaths of elderly people because their air conditioner has broken, or because they simply don't have a source of cool air in their homes. Heat related illnesses could cause permanent disability or death. Following the proper precautionary measures, however, will help keep seniors out of harm's way.

Living Independently Group, makers of the QuietCare system, offers the following "Top Ten Tips" to keep seniors safe in the summer heat:

  * Drink plenty of liquids -- eight or more 8-ounce glasses per day and or     fruit juices -- every day to stay hydrated.  

  * Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.

   * Dress appropriately.  Wear loose-fitting clothes in natural fabrics like   cotton and dress in light colors that will reflect the sun and heat

    instead of darker colors that will attract them.

  * When outdoors, protect your skin from damage by wearing hats, sunglasses and a sunscreen of 30 SPF or more.

 * Stay indoors during extreme heat.

 * If you do not have air conditioning in your apartment, go somewhere that does.  A movie theater, the mall, a friend or relative's home or a community senior center are all good options.

 * If you need to get out of the house and don't drive a car, call a taxi, a friend or a transportation service.  Do NOT wait outside for the bus in extreme heat.

  * If you are absolutely unable to leave the house and do not have air conditioning, take a cool bath or shower to lower your body temperature on extremely hot days.

 * Temperatures inside the home should not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods of time.

 * Know the signs of heat stroke (e.g flushed face, high body temperature, headache, nausea, rapid pulse, dizziness and confusion) and take immediate action if you feel them coming on.

About QuietCare

QuietCare(R) is an early detection and early warning system that provides caregivers with 24/7 information and alerts about the safety and well-being of elderly or other at-risk individuals, while maintaining their privacy and independence. This proven system uses discreet wireless activity sensors that are positioned throughout a person's residence to learn his/her normal pattern of daily living such as meal preparation, interaction with medications and bathroom use, as well as the person's morning wake-up time and overall activity. The system remotely identifies potential medical emergencies, such as possible bathroom falls, and automatically alerts caregivers to these situations, thereby permitting them to provide early intervention. QuietCare also provides alerts when the temperature in the person's residence is dangerously high or low. QuietCare is currently used by individuals in their homes, assisted and independent living communities and homecare agencies.

About Living Independently Group

Living Independently Group is dedicated to using technology to help seniors and other at-risk individuals live with greater safety and independence in their own communities. The Company's current offering, QuietCare(R), is a 24/7 early detection and warning system that enables caregivers to monitor a senior or patient remotely, recognize potential health problems and intervene to prevent emergencies