5 Effects of Climate Change On Older Adults
As you get older, you may start worrying about things you didn’t think to worry about before. Whether it’s the flu or a recurring pain, there are things that change as you age. And worrying about climate change might be one of them. Climate change threatens the health of older adults, and the number of people affected by it is growing.
What is Climate Change?
Doubtless, you have heard of climate change, but do you know what it is? Climate change is the effect of greenhouse gasses getting trapped in the atmosphere and warming the earth. Human contributions affect this warming process, like burning fossil fuels, which increases the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
Technically speaking, climate change is any change in average weather conditions that persists over a long period of time such as global warming. This change affects the air you breathe, the food you eat, and the water you drink. It can also cause extreme weather events to occur, like droughts, flooding, and wildfires. All of these things impact human health, especially for older adults who may be more sensitive to these changes.
Climate Change and Older Adults
Extreme Heat
Climate change will increase global temperatures. Exposure to extreme heat can cause health changes and even death in older adults, especially people with diabetes, congestive heart failure, and other chronic health conditions. Soaring temperatures are also associated with increased hospitalization of seniors, especially those with lung conditions. This is particularly dangerous for seniors living below the poverty line who may not be able to afford to use air conditioning during heatwaves.
More than 80% of the roughly 12,000 people who die of heat-related causes in America every year are over 60.
Extreme Events
As mentioned, climate change affects the intensity of some events like droughts, floods, and wildfires. Take flooding for example. Older adults with mobility issues are less likely to get to safety due to their restricted movements. During Hurricane Katrina, nearly half of the people killed were over 75, while Superstorm Sandy claimed those 65 and over.
In America, some of the most vulnerable people are those in their senior years suffering from chronic conditions.
Poor Air Quality
As climate change continues, air quality worsens with warming temperatures. This is because ground-level ozone forms and can affect the length of allergy season by prolonging the blooming of ragweed. This leads to poor air quality which can impact respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Poor air quality due to climate change can also increase the risk of heart attacks in seniors, especially those who additionally struggle with obesity or diabetes.
Illness Spread by Ticks and Mosquitos
As temperatures rise, so too do the tick and mosquito populations. This means an increase in the risk of getting bitten and contracting a disease. Ticks spread Lyme disease which is frequently reported in older adults. Some mosquitos carry the West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis which pose a threat to the weaker immune systems of senior adults.
Where You Live
If you live in an area that experiences tropical storms or hurricanes, like 20% of older adults, you may be in for some trouble. Climate change increases the severity of these types of storms which increases the risk of injury or property damage. Additionally, loss of electricity during these storms can cause complications in getting food, medicine, and other vital services.
Looking for some new secrets to living a healthy lifestyle? With this FREE A-Z guide on Living and Aging the Way You Want you can learn the ABCs of aging successfully. Download your PDF and start living the lifestyle you want.