By Emily Polakowski, PT, DPT, GCS
Physical Therapist, Connecticut

Late last year, I won a scholarship to attend the Conference of Parties UN Climate Summit in Glasgow, Scotland. Before this, I knew relatively little about climate change, but I was happy to accept a trip to Scotland to learn more. 

The speakers I listened to, people I met, and presentations I attended taught me so much about the planet. I learned how Earth is warming at an exponential rate beyond pre-industrial levels, that changes in weather conditions we’re experiencing today are due to these climate changes, and that these climate impacts are having staggering effects on populations in developing countries — those with less resources and those who have not contributed to the problem (a concept called environmental justice). 

5 Reasons Climate Change Should Matter to Older Adults

I attended several health-related climate presentations at the conference and was able to see the significant impacts that these climate changes will have on the older adult population. As a physical therapist, I want to be aware of the effects that these weather changes can have on our patient-population, especially those with mobility deficits, so that I can address them throughout the plan of care as needed.

1. Rising Temperatures

This past summer, the Pacific Northwest hit 115 degrees while areas of Iraq hit 165 degrees! In fact, 2021 was the 6th-warmest year in recorded history. These high temperatures can be unlivable for humans, especially if they don’t have adequate infrastructure, like air conditioning, to support them. 

Older adults have less physiologic ability to respond to changes in heat, which can increase their likelihood of experiencing heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. Providing patient education on hydration, staying indoors, and signs/symptoms of heat stroke may save your patient’s life. 

2. Changing Sea Levels

My coastal town in Connecticut is predicted to experience a 20-inch increase in sea level rise by the year 2050, with other areas of the country seeing a similar rise. Several of my patients live in beautiful homes on the water with low-lying roads. Their homes are much more likely to flood and perhaps be unliveable in the future. 

In the past year alone, I’ve had to cancel a few visits because I was unable to access my patients’ homes due to prolonged flooding over low roads with high tides. Patient education on the importance of evacuating when there is a storm warning, ensuring a caregiver is available despite weather demands, and ensuring mobility to exit their home in case of an emergency could save lives. 

3. More Rain

With increased temperatures, water evaporates much more rapidly resulting in atmospheric rivers (dense water coverage in the atmosphere) that can cause in quick, heavy rain storms — also called rain bombs — which can quickly result in injury or death.

This past summer, this resulted in extensive flooding in New York City. We need to educate patients on what to do if their areas experience flash floods. This is especially important for our patients who may not be able to quickly leave their homes.

4. Worsening Air Pollution

With higher temperatures, wildfires are much more likely to occur. Lightning strikes increase 10% with each degree of warming on the planet. Pollution from wildfires is more damaging and toxic than urban pollution and will reduce air quality throughout the country. This is especially impactful for older adults, who may already be dealing with COPD or other lung-related pathology.

5. More Insect-Borne Diseases

As areas grow warmer, insects have prolonged life spans and can change their area of impact. Mosquitos are traveling farther north, resulting in higher instances of malaria, Zika, and EEE. 

Additionally, tick-related illness has doubled over the past fifteen years. I have had several patients over the past year that have developed Lyme disease, which has resulted in significant joint pain and weakness, thus slowing their progress in their PT POC. Screening for Lyme disease and proper referral to appropriate medical professionals could be an important addition to a therapy POC. 

How to Discuss Climate Change with Older Adults

I’ve had a hard time balancing my newfound goal to educate everyone about these changes with many older adults’ limited belief in climate change. I had a few awkward conversations with my patients who didn’t believe in climate change. I’d hear things like: 

“Why would you waste your time going to that conference?”

“You know the planet isn’t really warmer, right? It just cycles through phases.”

“What could you even do about it?”

However, I’ve also had a lot of patients who were interested in hearing what I learned and were looking for what they could do about climate change at their SLCs. I recommended recycling, looking at energy suppliers for the building, and potentially instituting Meatless Mondays with their Food Committees. One of my previous patients was able to transition the take-out containers at her SLC from styrofoam to plastic after our conversations! 

I would tread cautiously when beginning these conversations with older adults who may not be receptive to sustainable ideas. We work so hard to foster a therapeutic relationship with our patients and it can be all too easy to lose this rapport.

Climate Change Action Starts with Us

Since attending COP, I have learned so much about the planet, the global impacts of climate change, as well as both my individual and professional role in this arena. I encourage all readers to think about their personal and professional responsibility to the planet and to their patients in regard to climate change. 

Individually, I think my role as a human on this planet is to vote for politicians who believe in climate change, limit my fossil fuel consumption (change my electric provider to a 100% renewable source, buy an electric or plug-in hybrid car), reduce my plastic consumption, and get involved on a local level with groups whose mission I believe in (native plants / pollinator gardens, composting / waste management, energy consumption on a town level). 

However, although individual changes are important, to truly make a difference in the future of the planet, everyone must participate and contribute to this cause to the best of their ability.