Risk Factors, Health Effects and Behaviour in Older People during Extreme Heat: A Survey in South Australia

Monika Nitschke, Alana Hansen, Peng Bi, Dino Pisaniello, Jonathan Newbury, Alison Kitson, Graeme Tucker, Jodie Avery and Eleonora Dal Grande
Additional contact information
Monika Nitschke: Department for Health and Ageing, 11 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Alana Hansen: School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia
Peng Bi: School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia
Dino Pisaniello: School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia
Jonathan Newbury: School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia
Alison Kitson: School of Nursing, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia
Graeme Tucker: Department for Health and Ageing, 11 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
Jodie Avery: Population Research and Outcome Studies, Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia
Eleonora Dal Grande: Population Research and Outcome Studies, Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia

IJERPH, 2013, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: Older people had a high incidence of hospitalisation during the 2009 heat wave in South Australia. We sought to explore resilience, behaviours, health risk factors and health outcomes during recent heat waves for a representative sample of independently living residents. A telephone survey of 499 people aged 65 years and over was conducted, and included both metropolitan and rural residences. A variety of adaptive strategies were reported, with 75% maintaining regular appointments and activities during the heat. However, 74% took medication for chronic disease and 25% assessed their health status to be fair to poor. In a multivariate model, factors associated with heat health outcomes included medication for mental health, heart failure, diabetes or respiratory health, reporting a reduced health status, use of mobility aids and being female. Compared with younger participants, those over 75 had more check-up calls and visits by family, friends and neighbours. However, confidence to call on support was associated with indicators of social isolation. The study indicates that older people are generally resilient, but interventions addressing multi-morbidity and medication interactions and social isolation should be developed.

Keywords: heat wave; survey; behaviour; risk factors; heat-related illnesses; health knowledge; older people (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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