Most of the elderly were found in homes with fans blowing and windows closed. For some, even encouragement from relatives and friends could not convince them to use their air conditioner. Many did not want to or could not pay the high electric bill associated with air conditioning, while others stated they had made it through other hot summers without air conditioning or that the cold bothered their arthritis. The elderly and the chronically ill are more vulnerable to the effects of high temperatures. They perspire less and are more likely to have health problems requiring medications that can impair the body's response to heat.
Many prescription medications make individuals more sensitive to the heat.
Any sudden change in temperature, such as an early heat wave, will be stressful on your body. You will have a greater tolerance for the heat if you limit your physical activity until you become accustomed to the heat. If traveling to a hotter climate, allow several days to become acclimated before attempting any vigorous exercise, and work up to it gradually. Heat-related illness occurs when the body's temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but when the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly.