RADFORD, Va. (WDBJ7) Dangerous heat is here and it's unbearable for many of us.

But it's especially hard on older people who are more vulnerable to dehydration and heatstroke.

About 40 percent of heat related deaths in the U-S were people 65 and older according to the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Medical staff at Commonwealth Assisted Living in Radford say older people who are going to e outside need to drink a lot of water.

Also stay away from sodas and alcohol. They say the signs for heat related sicknesses can be subtle.

"Feeling a little bit dizzy, maybe an increased heart rate, feeling a little bit faint, little black spots running around in front of them, a very, very dry mouth. Some medications can cause that but this would be more prominent," said Birdie Herald, the resident care director at Commonwealth Assisted Living in Radford.