How Care Professionals can keep older people safe and cool in the Heat
This blog post will exhibit how the Home Instead Care Professionals can support your loved ones to stay by providing care at home in the warm weather.
Summer can be a delightful season, but for older adults, it often brings the challenge of staying cool and comfortable in the scorching heat. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at regulating temperature, making us more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Being at home alone during the sweltering summer months can present unique challenges for older individuals. Home Instead Care Professionals will ensure the comfort and well-being of your elderly loved ones in the heat. In this blog, we will explore six essential ways our Care Professionals can help keep older people cool and safe at home during the hottest season of the year.
Monitor Hydration
One of the most crucial aspects of staying cool in the heat is maintaining proper hydration. As we age, our bodies may not signal thirst as effectively, making it essential to drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which can be life-threatening. Our Care Professionals can encourage your loved ones to drink water regularly, even if they don’t feel thirsty. They can set reminders for clients or create a hydration schedule to track their fluid intake. Additionally, offer hydrating snacks like water-rich fruits and vegetables and ensure they are always left with a drink.
Provide Proper Clothing
Choosing the right clothing can make a significant difference in staying comfortable during hot weather, our Care Professionals can support your loved ones in making appropriate clothing choices of lightweight, loose-fitting, and breathable fabrics, such as cotton, light-coloured clothing reflects sunlight and helps keep the body cool. If they are out and about are Care Professionals will encourage their clients to wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen when going outdoors to provide protection from harmful UV rays.
Create a Cool Living Space
We can keep the indoor environment as comfortable and cool as possible by using fans or air conditioning if available, open windows during cooler hours and close curtains or blinds to block out direct sunlight. Our Care Professionals can also support their clients to take a cool shower to lower their body temperature.
Plan Activities Wisely
When planning activities or outings, our Care Professionals will schedule them during the cooler parts of the day where possible and advise clients to avoid strenuous activities during the peak heat hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your loved one needs to be outside, we will make sure they take frequent breaks in the shade or in air-conditioned areas, and will always carry water and offer it regularly to prevent dehydration. And will encourage clients to wear sunscreen with a high SPF to protect their skin from sunburn and potential heat-related complications.
Prepare Light, Nutrient-Rich Meals
During the summer, our Care Professionals will prepare their client light and nutritious meals. Fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as foods with high water content, like cucumbers and melons, can help with hydration. They will avoid heavy or spicy dishes that may increase body temperature and serve smaller, more frequent meals to prevent overeating and discomfort.
Stay Connected and Be Prepared
Our Care Professionals can provide companionship to their clients, its important that your loved one can express their feelings. It’s a way for family members to rest assured that someone is checking in on their loved one during hot spells and look out for any symptoms of heat exhaustion. Before leaving, our Care Professionals will make sure that their clients have access to a phone or medical alert device in case of emergencies to make sure they can call for help should they need it.
Caring for older people during the summer heat is equally as important as caring for older people in the winter months, it requires vigilance, preparation, and compassion. By following these six essential tips, our Care Professionals can help your elderly loved ones stay cool, comfortable, and safe during the hottest months of the year. Proactive care and attention to hydration, clothing, and living conditions can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related issues and even hospitalisation in some cases. Our Care Professional’s dedication to our clients well-being ensures that they can enjoy the pleasures of summer without unnecessary health concerns.
