For everyone working in elderly care, home care, disability care or nursing.

During this heatwave — amber warnings, up to 36°C and a national heat plan in force until around Tuesday 30 June — care work carries a double burden. You are often physically active and you care for the very people most vulnerable to heat: older adults, those with chronic illness, and people who cannot clearly say that they are too hot.

This article helps you bring both safely through the heat: your clients and yourself.

Why older and vulnerable people are at extra risk

In older adults the sense of thirst works less well — they drink too little without noticing. Their bodies regulate temperature more slowly, they sweat less, and many medicines (diuretics, blood-pressure tablets, some psychotropic drugs) disrupt fluid balance or heat regulation. People with dementia or a disability often cannot make it clear that they feel unwell.

As a result, dehydration or overheating can strike quickly and quietly.

The do’s — for your clients

Offer drinks actively and repeatedly. Don’t wait for someone to ask. Put drinks within reach, help with drinking and keep track of how much goes in. Ice lollies, soup, cucumber and melon all count too.

Keep it cool. Close windows and curtains on the sunny side early in the morning, and open them in the evening and at night when it cools down. Move people to the coolest room.

Dress light and cool where needed. Thin clothing, a damp flannel on the neck, feet in a basin of lukewarm water — small things with a big effect.

Watch for the signs. Passing less urine, dark urine, confusion, drowsiness, headache, rapid breathing or a dry mouth are warnings. Report them straight away and call in the GP if needed.

Review medication. Check with the doctor or pharmacist whether medication should be adjusted during the heat — that’s their call, but your observation is invaluable.

The do’s — for yourself

Drink enough yourself too. You’re busy with others, but caring while dehydrated helps no one. Have something to drink every hour.

Take your break properly. A moment sat somewhere cool, a glass of water, a bit of rest. You’ll keep going longer and more safely.

Share the heavy work. Lifting and transfers cost extra in the heat. Do them together and don’t schedule them all at the hottest part of the day.

The don’ts

Don’t assume someone will drink on their own. Many clients simply won’t.

Don’t ignore subtle changes. Confusion or drowsiness is easily put down to “a bad day”, when it could be dehydration or overheating.

Don’t skip your own break. Your safety matters just as much.

Alarm: heatstroke

Is someone confused or hard to rouse, does their skin feel hot and dry, or have they stopped sweating? It may be heatstroke — this is life-threatening. Call 112, move the person somewhere cool, cool them aggressively with cool wet cloths and stay with them.

In closing

Care is all about attention — and during a heatwave that attention is quite literally life-saving. Keep people drinking, keep it cool, watch for the quiet signs and don’t forget yourself. That way both you and your clients come through these days well.

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Want to reach your whole team — including the home-care staff who are out and about all day — with one clear heat instruction? E-lia sends it via WhatsApp, with no app or log-in codes.