Keeping elderly people well in a heatwave
Free room thermometers available
Many of us are loving the long hot Summer but a heatwave poses a potential danger for the elderly. Here are a few ideas to keeping the elderly well in a heat wave.
- Close the curtains or pull down blinds to prevent direct sunlight entering rooms
- Avoid going out unless early morning and late evening and even then wear a wide-brimmed hat or cap.
- Wear loose clothing, cotton is cool whilst synthetics dry faster if they become wet with perspiration,
- If they do need to go out – suncream with a high SP factor ( at least 20)
- Cool someone down by putting their wrists under a running cold tap. This cools the part of the brain responsible for heat regulation.
Hydration and nutrition.
- Fluids, fluids and fluids, ensure they drink plenty. Have a jug of water or squash to hand at all times for someone less mobile,
- Ice lollies, ice cream, ice in drinks all helps to cool someone elderly down,
- Encourage them to eat plenty of salads with juicy ingredients such as cucumber, grapes and melon.
Heat Exhaustion
The most common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Confusion.
- Dark-coloured urine (a sign of dehydration)
- Dizziness.
- Fainting.
- Fatigue.
- Headache.
- Muscle or abdominal cramps.
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Also if you gently pinch the skin on the back of the hand of an elderly person it should still spring back albeit slowly, if not this is a clear sign of dehydration .
I would like to reqest for a free room thermometer please.
Hi Robert, delighted to send you a thermometer, but I do need to know where to send it! Please let me have an address.
Hi Caron
I work for helping Hands to support our elderly to stay at home
Your above artical gives great support to all our carets looking after vulnerable people in this heatwave
Do you provide free thermometers to large companies
Sorry for such a slow reply! I have not been getting the notifications that messages had been left. If you contact Age UK, they will send you a box out to distribute to clients
Can you help I’m trying to get some room thermometers I live in Northern Ireland County Antrim and I cannot get any over here can you help me please and thank you.
Hi Caron I emailed you a while ago about free thermometers would it be possible to send me 5 please my address is …. I hope this will be no hassle for you and many thanks yours Raymond
Hello Caron,I would like to reqest for a free room thermometer please. Address
Beatrice, please leave me your address here. It is safe, then I can send you a thermometer.