Helping Older Adults Beat the Heat

Floridians are no strangers to extreme temperatures, but even by our standards things are heating up: summer 2024 was the hottest on record. By 2050, Florida is projected to experience more than 70 days each year with temperatures above 91°F. 

While extreme heat affects everyone, older adults are especially vulnerable. They suffer from heat-related illness and death at significant rates. How can we better support older adults as the temperatures rise? 

To explore this question, I’ve teamed up with Dr. Mark Horner and Geography master’s student Abdul Fattah to better understand older adults’ experiences with extreme heat. Through a survey funded by FSU’s Pepper Institute, we’re gathering insights on challenges, stress, and future preparedness plans. Though the project is ongoing, we’re already seeing key trends. 

Participants reported a range of coping strategies. The most common were wearing breathable clothing, drinking more water, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours. Still, 17% said wearing cooler clothing was difficult for them to manage. Alarmingly, one in five reported difficulty affording medical services during past extreme heat events, and a third said they’ve needed medical care during such events. 

Concerns about the future are widespread. Over half of participants worry about rising costs of living, like energy bills and home insurance. About 50% expressed concern about increasingly severe weather events. Despite these worries, most said they do not currently have an adaptation plan; one in four older adults want to learn more about how to beat the heat. 

These findings highlight urgent needs. Improving access to medical care and offering financial support for older adults on fixed incomes should be top priorities. These are multifaceted issues that require concerted effort from multiple levels of government.  

One practical, low-cost step local governments could take is helping older adults develop personalized heat adaptation plans. These could include short-term resources like cooling center locations and hydration tips, along with longer-term strategies like goal-setting for climate-proofing homes. Without coordinated support, we leave individuals to face growing risks alone.