Whole Health Collaborative

Summer heat affects the body more than most people realize. Certain groups face higher risk for heat-related illness, including older adults, outdoor workers, and people who exercise in extreme heat.

Dehydration is one of the most common and preventable factors behind heat-related illness. A few signs to watch for: increased thirst, dark urine, fatigue, dizziness, or headache.

Simple ways to stay safer in the heat:
💧 Drink water throughout the day, not only when you feel thirsty
🧢 Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing outdoors
⏰ Plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening
🏠 Check on neighbors or family members who are older adults or have chronic conditions
😴 Watch for heat affecting your sleep. Hot nights can make it harder to fall and stay asleep

This is also UV Safety Awareness Month, a good reminder to pair hydration habits with sun protection. Staying safe in extreme heat is one more example of how prevention works best with support. Our nurse-led coaches help participants build small, practical habits like these into their daily routine, so they become second nature rather than one more thing to remember on a hot day.

Healthy aging is often talked about like it starts at 60 or 65. The research tells a different story.

According to a 2025 CDC study, 93 percent of adults 65 and older now live with at least one chronic condition, and nearly 79 percent live with two or more. Many of these conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis, develop over decades, shaped by the habits and environments people have access to long before they reach retirement age.

Research from the CDC defines healthy aging as the presence of physical health, mental health, and social engagement, a definition that extends well beyond disease avoidance.

This is why the work has to start earlier. At WHC, every pillar we teach, including nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, substance use, and connectedness, plays a role in how someone ages, no matter what age they are when they start.