When the summer gets into full swing, it’s important to know some tips on how to keep older people safe in a heatwave. Whilst the hot weather puts most of the UK in a great mood, the rising temperatures can lead to a long list of health problems, especially for loved ones who are older.
Older people are less able to cope with the high temperatures of a heatwave, leaving us at greater risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. If your older relative or friend has diabetes and lung disease, this can further reduce their ability to cope with the heatwave.
Page contents
At a glance
- Older people are more vulnerable to heatwaves because their bodies are less able to regulate temperature, increasing the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
- Avoid the hottest part of the day by planning outdoor activities for early morning or late evening, and staying out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm.
- Stay hydrated by encouraging regular drinks and offering water-rich foods such as cucumber, melon and lettuce.
- Keep the home cool by closing curtains and blinds, wearing lightweight clothing and using cool, damp cloths to lower body temperature.
Tips on caring for older people in a heatwave
1. Head outdoors at cooler times
Getting outdoors has such a positive impact on our health and wellbeing. Spending time in nature has a huge range of potential benefits, including increased happiness, improved self-esteem, and reduced stress.
However, the rising temperatures can be uncomfortable and increase your risk of heat-related conditions. If you are experiencing a heatwave and you are caring for an older person, make sure you head outside with your loved one either early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperature is cooler. As a general guide, try and avoid the heat between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its strongest.
2. Keep hydrated during a heatwave
Another tip to bear in mind if you are older and in a heatwave, is that you are at a greater risk of dehydration, and these rising temperatures can make it even worse. Not having enough water in your body can lead to feeling faint, dizziness and nausea.
Our appetite also naturally reduces in the heat because our body is trying to keep cool – it’s paying less attention to how hungry we are! However, it’s important encourage your loved one to eat regularly and make sure they’re drinking enough to replenish the fluids lost by excessive sweating.
We should drink 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid a day, which is about eight to 10 glasses. However, if you’re in the heat during the day you can become dehydrated quicker, so drink more often and aim for at least 2 litres.
Get creative with keeping your loved ones hydrated by swapping any hot drinks with juices, smoothies, or occasionally an ice lolly.
Read about the signs of dehydration here.
3. Choose food with a high-water content
To ensure your older relative or friend is drinking enough water in a heatwave, you should give them foods with high water content. This can also help to keep them cool.
When it comes to the best foods to eat during the warm weather, choose food with high water content such as spinach, lettuce, cucumber, celery, and radishes which will help the body to hydrate. Melons are also a great cooling and hydrating choice to enjoy.
4. Keep surroundings cool in a heatwave
A good tip in a heatwave is to keep the home of an older person cool by keeping curtains and blinds closed in rooms that catch the sun. Another tip would be to encourage your loved one to wear linen or cotton materials. These give you that extra room to breathe so will help to keep you cool! Encourage your relative or friend to wear sandals, to avoid their feet swelling up in the heat.
If they’re struggling to keep cool, encourage them to splash their face and neck with cool water, or put a damp cloth on the back of their neck.
5. Watch out for signs of heatstroke in older people
There is a difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke and you need to look out for this when caring for an older person in a heatwave. Heat exhaustion occurs when your body is unable to cool itself enough to maintain a healthy temperature. Normally, the body cools itself by sweating, but sometimes sweating isn’t enough and the body temperature keeps rising.
Heatstroke is much more serious and means your core temperature will be 40C or above and you’ll feel very unwell. Heatstroke should be treated as an emergency, whereas with heat exhaustion, the person needs to be cooled down.
Heat exhaustion often has symptoms such as a throbbing headache, dizziness, confusion, cramping and nausea. If your loved one is experiencing any symptoms, advise them to remove any unnecessary clothing, lie down, and raise their feet so they are above heart level and drink plenty of water. You can also use a cool sponge to cool their skin too.
If your loved one doesn’t start to cool down and feel better after 30 minutes, see a medical professional, as they may have developed heatstroke.
6. Look after yourself
Finally, it’s important to take care of yourself in the heat, especially if you’re looking after older people in a heatwave. Make sure you wear sun protection, keep yourself hydrated and know your limits. If you’re feeling too warm, listen to your body and take a rest out of the heat.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself either – if you’re struggling to look after an older person, there is always help and support available.
This article has been written by Helene Ballinger, Resident Experience Manager at Bupa’s Southlands Care Home.
Find trusted home care near you
13,000+ home care providers
1,500+ reviews every month
100,000+ verified reviews
Next steps
- Make a heatwave care plan: Arrange regular check-ins with your older loved one, especially if they live alone, and agree who can help during particularly hot days.
- Check medications and health conditions: Ask their GP or pharmacist whether any medications or existing conditions could increase their risk of heat-related illness.
- Prepare a heatwave essentials kit: Keep a supply of water, cooling towels, a fan and lightweight clothing within easy reach so your loved one can stay comfortable during hot weather.
- Stay updated on heat-health alerts: Check the Met Office weather forecast and UK Health Security Agency heat-health alerts so you can plan ahead and take extra precautions when temperatures rise.
FAQs
How do I keep an elderly relative cool during a heatwave?
There are a range of things you can do to help keep an elderly person cool during a heatwave, this includes making sure they stay hydrated, keeping their surroundings as cool as possible and encouraging them to eat food with a high-water content.
What are the signs of heat exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion often has symptoms such as a throbbing headache, dizziness, confusion, cramping and nausea. If your loved one is experiencing any symptoms, advise them to remove any unnecessary clothing, lie down, and raise their feet so they are above heart level and drink plenty of water.
What is the difference between heatstroke and heat exhaustion?
The main difference is that heatstroke should be treated as an emergency. It usually occurs when the signs of heat exhaustion have been missed and the person’s condition worsens. They will likely experience the same symptoms as heat exhaustion but will feel very unwell.