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We're in NJ and it's getting hotter every year. My mother (98) refuses to turn on the air in her rooms (attached) and will only sip water. Luckily I came home early and she was horrible, throwing up and very light headed. I immediately turned on the air and made her drink a glass of cold water. I keep trying to explain what she is doing is dangerous. Please keep an eye on yourself because they don't know until it becomes dangerous. She's normally very good except when it gets hot.

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You should not always drink cold water. Also, look up heat exhaustion, I think that may be what Mom had. Heat stroke is different. I live in NJ and my central air is on all the time. I have it set at 77 which is comfortable for us and with 90+ temps easier on my unit. It rarely comes on at night because temps are now in the 70s. I use fans to circulate the air. Its not so much the temps for me but the humidity which makes it hard to breath.

"you should not drink cold water if you suspect someone has heat stroke. While cold water can help with heat exhaustion, it can be dangerous for heatstroke victims. Instead, focus on rapid cooling methods like immersion in cool or cold water and applying cool, wet cloths to the skin. If you suspect heatstroke, call for emergency medical help immediately.

Here's why cold water is not recommended for heatstroke:
Aspiration Risk:
Individuals with heatstroke can be at risk of inhaling fluids (aspiration), which can be dangerous. 
Shock:
Rapid cooling with ice-cold water can cause the body to go into shock in some individuals, especially the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses. 
Ineffective Cooling:
While cold water can be helpful for heat exhaustion, it may not be the most effective way to lower body temperature in severe cases of heatstroke, and other methods like immersion in cool or cold water are preferred. 
What to do if you suspect heatstroke:
Call for emergency help immediately.
Move the person to a cool or shaded area.
Loosen or remove excess clothing.
Immerse the person in cool or cold water.
Apply cool, wet cloths to the skin.
Fan the person while misting with cool water.
If the person is conscious, offer sips of cool or room temperature water. 
Note: Avoid using ice or ice-cold water on heatstroke victims, especially the elderly, children, or those with chronic illnesses."
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I agree that if she can't take care of herself in the heat she isn't safe alone. That means either caregivers or a facility with 24/7 care. Her needs have increased.
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Thanks for the reminder.
We elders lose our drive to drink fluids.
I always remind folks here that when I was an RN people almost always, when over a certain age, came into ER with "dehydration". It was the norm.

Our temps out there right now are pretty hellish. I think if an elder is unable to do for self and hydrate and correctly judge air conditioner needs then that person is no longer safe alone. 118 in Palm Springs, my now gone bro's home, is it for today. And in AZ where my kids have a condo may climb in parts of the state to 120. My brother used to, in days like this, have to have a hot pad to open his car door.
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Can you control the AC in her room(s)?
If so that might be the way to go.
There are water bottles that will "remind you" to drink. So if she can follow the cues on her phone that might help. If you have Alexa you might be able to remind her to drink using Alexa if you are not home.
I have seen ads for gummy type cand that will provide hydration.
There are powders you can add to water that will increase hydration.
And then there are the "sports drinks" that might also help.
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You can install some sort of locking cover on the thermostat so that she can't turn it off, or install a Nest thermostat, if she has wifi, and this way you can control it remotely.
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Hoping the throwing up was an isolated incident. My son came home from being out in the heat. He had been drinking a lot of water that day but when he began throwing up it just didn't seem normal. Took him to the er and discovered he had an acute kidney injury and was hospitalized for two days. He recovered but if we hadnt gotten him to the er when we did there's no telling what could have happened.
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