By Alexandra Harper 
The UK is not normally known for its tropical climate, but recent heatwaves have swept across the country with temperatures in England rising to 38°C. While the record-breaking warm weather has brought a lot of sunshine into our lives, it’s also caused chaos up and down the country.
There have been droughts across England and Wales, wildfires have broken out, and an Amber Extreme Heat warning covered most of southern England. The risk to public safety is hard to ignore, with the NHS reporting a dramatic rise in 111 calls and A&E admissions for heatstroke-related illnesses. It’s important, now more than ever, to know how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe during a heatwave, especially if you are caring for an older relative.
Who is at risk?
Anyone can become unwell during a heatwave and long spells of hot weather, but some people are more vulnerable and at risk of health complications than others. This includes:
- Anyone aged 65 and over
- Those with serious long-term health conditions
- People who live alone and are less able to care for themselves
- Diabetics
- Those taking medications which are affected by hot weather
- People with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s disease
- Those suffering from breathing, heart or kidney problems
If you, a loved one, or someone you care for is in any of the above categories, it is essential to follow the recommended advice for staying safe during the summer months. It’s often the older generation who suffer the most during heatwaves, especially if they fit into multiple risk categories, as they can become seriously ill if not supported properly.
Stay safe, stay inside
Staying inside and out of the sun is one of the easiest ways to avoid heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Try to avoid spending time outside during the hottest part of the day, from around lunchtime until 3 pm, and stay in the shade if you do go outdoors. To keep your living space cool, keep your windows, blinds and curtains closed during the day, only opening them in the evening when temperatures dip. Electric fans can help throughout the day too, but many care services are supporting their elderly residents by opting to install air conditioning units in communal areas.
Oakland Care Homes have many older residents and are one of the care facilities that have air-conditioned rooms and areas available to residents, visitors, and staff. Having air conditioning throughout the care home ensures everyone stays safe in the heat and has access to somewhere to cool off. Oakland Care Homes offer residential, nursing, dementia and respite care to a range of residents across the south of England, so keeping them safe during the warm weather is paramount. Most communal areas in Oakland Care’s homes have air conditioning, and private rooms can be equipped with electric fans if required. Oakland Care Homes with gardens and outdoor areas have plenty of shaded sections, so residents can still enjoy time outside in the afternoons and on cooler days.
Stay hydrated
One of the major risks to older people’s health during hot weather is dehydration caused by not drinking enough fluids and water throughout the day. Ensuring regular access to cold, fresh water at home and carrying bottled water with you when leaving the house can help reduce the risk of dehydration. Older people may forget to drink enough fluids, even if they have easy access to water from water fountains or taps, so regular reminders and encouragement can be helpful. This is especially useful for those with dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s who may need extra support to stay hydrated. Consuming cold drinks like water, squash or fruit juice and eating regularly, even if you’re not feeling particularly hungry, can help you cool down, combat dehydration and replace vitamins from sweating. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol, which can have the opposite effect and make you feel worse.
It’s helpful to know what the symptoms of dehydration and overheating are in adults, as it can be easy to miss and dangerous if not caught early.
The main signs and symptoms to look out for are:
- Cramps in arms, legs, or stomach muscles
- Dark or strong-smelling urine
- Mild confusion
- Feeling unusually tired
- Trouble sleeping
It’s important to know that you don’t have to feel thirsty to be dehydrated, as it can happen without you knowing, and you should still be drinking fluids regularly to avoid this. If you think you or a loved one may be dehydrated, find somewhere to rest in a cool, dark place and drink plenty of water. If the symptoms get worse, or you are concerned about someone suffering from the heat and dehydration, you can call NHS 111 for advice.
If you or an elderly relative is on medication that’s affected by heat and hot weather, you should be extra careful during heatwaves and the warmer summer months. If you live alone and are concerned about how the heat and medication may make you feel, ask a friend or relative to check in on you regularly, either by calling or visiting. If you begin to feel unwell, contact NHS 111 for advice, giving them the name of any medication taken that day, or call 999 in a medical emergency.
Most medications need to be kept at temperatures below 25°C and stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Being kept in a warm or hot environment can cause medications to degrade, crumble, or stop working correctly, which can be dangerous to those on lifesaving medications. If you regularly keep medications by your bedside or out in the open, consider putting them in the fridge or a cupboard during summer months to avoid any potential issues. You should never keep medications in your car or vehicle as the temperatures inside can rise rapidly, breaking down medication. Similarly, avoid keeping medications in the bathroom as the heat, moisture and humidity from baths and showers can ruin solid pills and dissolve capsule tablets.
Simple sun safety solutions
If you do venture out in the hot weather, it’s important to protect yourself as much as possible by wearing sun cream, a sun hat and light-coloured, lightweight, breathable clothing. T-shirts and shorts made from cotton or natural fibres are best for keeping cool, as wool, polyester, and synthetic fibres trap heat and can cause excessive sweating. Avoid wearing multiple layers if possible, leaving jackets, jumpers and anything with long sleeves at home. Sun cream should be at least SPF 30 or higher to best protect against the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, as even on cloudy days the UV levels can be high enough to cause sunburn. Reapply your sun cream regularly throughout the day, making sure you cover all exposed skin, including any bald patches and the back of your neck.
Sunglasses are another summer essential that should be worn outside during any bright, sunny spells. All pairs should have a CE mark and UV400 label to be fully compliant with UK safety standards and offer the best protection. Without adequate protection, UV rays can cause severe eye issues such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and painful sunburns on the surface of the cornea, as well as premature ageing in the skin around the eyes. If you wear prescription glasses, your optician should be able to help you find a compliant pair of sunglasses that allows you to see clearly and stay safe in the sun.
One of the main risks of being exposed to UV rays for prolonged periods is that long-term sun exposure and sunburn can cause skin cells to turn cancerous. Any sun damage should be taken seriously. Skin cancer can be caught early by regularly checking your skin for any changes every few months, and by keeping an eye on your loved ones’ skin health if they are unable to check themselves. If you notice that a mole or growth has changed colour, shape, or starts bleeding, you should speak to a doctor, carer or medical professional as soon as you can.