9th August 2022
July has seen record highs in temperatures across the Southeast and this often means that the elderly people in our community can find it a risk to their health or even fatal. The UK government released updated information highlighting the danger that severe heat can cause everyone, especially older and disabled people, and those living in care homes. As temperatures continue to climb, it’s crucial that we must take steps to safeguard elderly friends and family during bouts of extreme weather. Below we share our advice on how to keep an elderly loved one safe through a heatwave.
Keeping your elderly loved ones cool during a heatwave
Older people can be more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, so it’s important to know how to keep yourself as cool, comfortable, and safe as possible, as well as any elderly relatives or neighbours you look after.
Check on older relatives and listen to the weather forecast
If you’re caring for an older relative or have an elderly neighbour, check on them more regularly during a heatwave. Listen to the weather forecast and news to plan key times to visit them and organise their activities around cooler days. Make sure they have shopping in and if not, offer to run to the shops for them. Check they’re drinking plenty of water and that they’re sitting somewhere that is cool and comfortable, taking round a fan if necessary.
Make sure they can stay hydrated
Elderly adults are more at risk of dehydration and overheating when it’s hot outside, so when it comes to hydration, being proactive rather than reactive is essential. Make sure they have access to a variety of fluids throughout the day, the NHS advises around 6-8 glasses of water when temperatures start to climb. It doesn’t have to always be about drinking, as foods that retain natural liquids like watermelon, strawberries, cucumber and lettuce are also a great way to ensure regular water intake.
Make sure drinks are easy-to-reach
If your elderly loved one lives on their own and has limited mobility, make sure they have regular cold drinks within easy reach. For instance, place a jug of fresh, cold water in every room and in their usual places, including next to their favourite chair. You may find it helpful to place any refreshments in brightly coloured glasses, so it captures their attention when they’re moving around their home.
Make changes in the home
There are many changes that can be made in the home to keep cool:
Encourage the wearing of light natural fabrics
Some people wear warm clothes by habit, especially older people who tend to feel the cold more. This can be dangerous to health so encourage light natural fabrics such as linen and cotton. Wear a sun hat outdoors to the lessen the effect of the sun.
Make sure they can escape the sun
Elderly adults are especially vulnerable to the hot rays of the sun and should therefore be encouraged to stay indoors when the sun is at its hottest, between the hours of 11am and 4pm. If this isn’t possible, it’s important to stay in areas of shade and out of direct sunlight. When it’s extremely hot, staying indoors is often best so help them identify which room is the coolest and make it a comfortable space.
Look for signs of heat-related illness
Older people often have a tough time dealing with the temperature and environmental changes. It can also be difficult to differentiate between existing health concerns and those brought about by heat-related illness. However, there are a few things you can look out for:
Should you notice any of these signs, take them to a cool room and get them to lie down with their feet slightly raised. Offer a drink of water or a sports rehydration drink. Spray then with cool water or place a cool flannel by their neck or arm pits. If symptoms do not improve within 30 minutes then call 111 or contact 111 online. Call 999 in case of an emergency, where the patient is non-responsive and struggling breathing.
How TerraBlu can help
Often elderly people can benefit from having a home carer to pop in and check on them, this can become especially important during the warmer months. Our wonderful team of carers at TerraBlu are qualified in seeing the signs of dehydration, sun burn and heat stroke and will also tailor the care they give to help their client’s specific health needs. Carers can also help by doing the food shopping so that your elderly loved one doesn’t have to leave their home during the hot weather.
Checking in and looking after an elderly loved one or neighbour is especially important during a heatwave and the warmer months. If we can help alleviate any concerns that you might have for a loved one, then we’d be happy to help and discuss the options available to you.
If you would like our support or are considering a rewarding career in care, please get in touch or give us a call on 01892 529429.