Hot Weather for Old Folks

I have MS, live in Houston area, assorted other diseases. 3 strokes in 3 years. Also have TOPS (Tired Old Person Syndrome). Don’t go out much, just gave my car away…no driving, my choice Am 78. Help care for 3 dogs, 3 cats. That’s my physical activity. I read, slowly. Just finished Land and Regime Change. Watch some mindless TV. Very different living than past, but that’s life isn’t it? Best wishes.

Summers here in Texas are beastly.
Many people exercise by driving to a mall or other large indoor space and walking there.
I am disabled by a stroke; walking to the mailbox in 100-degree heat is about all I'm good for.

Good question. I'm in New Mexico in the mountains--very hot but it cools off nicely at night. I do get up early, then take a siesta, and stay up as late as I can (11 pm is my best!). I socialize, run errands, etc. hopefully before 2 pm. Garden in morning and early evening. It isn't great and I do feel lethargic but I can do my usual exercise routine indoors. I might suggest a month or two of membership to an air conditioned gym, a visit to the public library to read and get desk work done, public swimming pool (check for quite hours), and a tip from my long ago un-air conditioned student days--a quick freezing shower 1-2 times a day to perk up. Stay cool!!

@mir123 Basements are great if you have them. Otherwise, you have two options for air conditioning: water-based (evaporation, which only works where the ambient humidity seldom rises above about 65%) and mechanical/refrigerant. Both use electricity, but evaporation takes much less....and water, up to ten 20 liters a day. Latter takes a lot of electricity.

For years we lived in south-central British Columbia in semi-arid conditions. Summers were brutal. My dad, an engineer. sought and acquired a 'swamp cooler', a large cabinet maybe 40" on a side and about the same tall, weighing about 70 pounds with electric fan motor. Inside a drum fan much like your average furnace. Each of the four sides has a 'radiator-like' grill for air to pass through. The rear of the unit has a duct meant to be mated to your home's ducting. a small water line must be affixed to the unit at a suitable point provided on the machine and a shut-off valve for that line. Behind the grills, capoc bags are hung on small hooks so that they lie flush against the radiator-like grills showing on the exterior walls. When the unit is switched on, water runs along small channels at the inside top of the grills and drips down through the capoc bags. The fan draws air through those wetted bags and pumps it into the house, providing moistened and much cooler air. They work fabulously....but not cheap to acquire initially, and more work to install securely and to fit them well. Incidentally, the bottom tray catches the unevaporated water and a small sump pump recirculates that water up to the channels again to re-use.

In a pinch, short term, wet towels and place them in front of a fan. Seated across from that should be cool. And kewl.

I usually have to get out of the house every day for some work, personal errand or care for my mom at the nursing home. I stay cool by working out at the gym. It’s been packed lately. They keep it nice and cool.

I’ve also discovered that parking in a shady area really keeps the car temp tolerable. I also erect a sun reflector in the windshield area. I take a cooler with ice to keep personal items like sanitizer, chapstick, snacks, etc. in the car. It’s amazing how cool I can keep it for up to an hour even with brutal heat like we’re having….90s-103!

I got a portable floor AC to augment the central AC and that’s helping too in the bonus room.

I pulled out my skimpiest tops and intend to wear them until the heat breaks. Have to remember to add sunscreen.

@mir123 I also live where the mountains cool everything off during the night and early morning. I don't have air conditioning, but a whole-house fan brings in the cool morning air, and I then shut the windows, and the house stays cool until the evening. Even on very hot days, the outside air is dry, and sweat evaporating keeps me reasonably comfortable.

I agree, here in South Alabama it’s to hot and humid to get out there for those daily, much needed walks. Some folks aren’t real early birds and others don’t like to wait until dusk. I am hearing more senior adults say they are going to the gym where they can walk on treadmills and do some mild strength training and enjoy the air conditioning. My granddaughter even commented that the gym she goes to has a lot of ‘old people’ which is ok by her because she feels very comfortable going there with them. I guess I had a questionable look on my face at her remark because she tickled me when she was quick to point out that she meant lots older than me! 🤣

Depending upon your home...... why not just walk in the house.
I have a 1300 sq foot home and I figured out a path and way to walk in the house. It works for me....I know some will say that's boring but it does the trick.
Barbara

I've had issues with the high heat and humidity for the past 10+ years, but it's much worse this year. I'm a 73 year old overweight man (6'3" and 240#). I have AFib and get tachycardia, PVCs and PACs if I start to get dehydrated. This year I've been diagnosed with PMR, which means I'm on prednisone, which put me up to 250#. Subsequently I was diagnosed with SMM, which means I have to taper off prednisone and switch to kevzara injections. I get tired and out of breath very easily this year, especially in the heat and humidity. I'm only able to work outside in the yard for 30-45 minutes at a time before coming in for hydration and rest. When the temperature went over 90 and eventually over 100, I could barely get to the car without losing my breath. I don't know if this is the new norm for me, but I hope not.

@mikebiker We do something similar--open/close windows/shades/doors etc. My son-in-law put in an exhaust fan, which works well at night. Stay cool!