Summertime usually brings out the best in us with more daylight hours and warmer weather to sit outside and enjoy our surroundings, but hot weather or a heatwave can quickly become challenging for older adults.
Across Devon, from coastal communities to rural villages, many people Wisteria Care support live in homes designed to retain warmth rather than release it and this can make life uncomfortable in hot weather.
For over 65s living alone, managing long-term health conditions, taking several medicines, or finding it harder to change routines independently, planning for a heatwave is important. Hot weather can increase the risk of dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
For families looking for older people in hot weather safety advice, simple daily steps can make a real difference. Here are ten practical ways we help clients keep cool in hot weather while remaining comfortable, safe and reassured at home.
- Keep rooms as cool as possible
During the hottest part of the day, close curtains or blinds in rooms facing the sun and keep windows closed if it is hotter outside than inside. Later, when the air cools, open windows (if it is safe to do so). We also encourage families to identify the coolest room in the house and make it the daytime resting area during a heatwave.
- Drink regularly
Older adults may not always feel thirsty, so we offer regular cold drinks and keep water within easy reach. The NHS advises drinking extra fluids and avoiding too much alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks in very warm weather. Small, frequent sips can be easier than large glasses, particularly for people with reduced appetite or mobility.
- Plan the day around cooler hours
Essential outings, light gardening or appointments are safest earlier in the morning or later in the evening. Between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is strongest, we recommend staying indoors or in the shade. This is one of the simplest ways to keep cool in hot weather without losing independence.
- Wear light, loose clothing
Breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen, lighter colours, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can all help the body cope better outdoors. If you are outside, it’s important to wear suncream even if you are in the shade. Indoors, swapping heavy bedding for lightweight sheets may also improve sleep, which can be disrupted during a heatwave.
- Cool the body, not just the room
A cool shower, tepid flannel, cool foot bath, water spray or a damp cloth on the neck can provide relief from high temperatures.
- Offer lighter meals with high water content
In hot weather, big meals can feel unappealing. We often suggest smaller portions, salads, yoghurt, fruit, cold soups, or foods such as melon and cucumber alongside regular drinks. Lighter meals can help ensure older people eat well during periods of hot weather.
- Watch for early warning signs
Families and carers should know the common heat exhaustion symptoms particularly for older people in hot weather. These are: tiredness, dizziness, headache, feeling sick or being sick, excessive sweating, pale or clammy skin, cramps, a high temperature, thirst and irritability. If someone shows these heat exhaustion symptoms, move them somewhere cool, remove unnecessary clothing, offer fluids and cool their skin.
- Know when to seek urgent help
NHS advice states that heat exhaustion should improve within about 30 minutes once someone is cooled and given fluids. If they remain unwell, or if there are signs of heatstroke such as confusion, loss of consciousness, seizure, fast breathing, a very high temperature or hot skin that is not sweating, call 999 immediately.
- Review care routines
Some health conditions can increase vulnerability in hot weather, so care routines may need to be changed. If you are worried about fluid intake, dizziness, swelling, confusion or dehydration risk during a heatwave, speak to a GP, pharmacist or district nurse.
- Check in more often
The UK Health Security Agency and Met Office both stress the importance of checking on people who may struggle to stay cool and hydrated. As in-home carers, we use visits to notice changes that a quick phone call may miss such as warm bedrooms, untouched drinks, unusual tiredness, confusion, reduced appetite or clothing that’s too heavy for the weather.
Keep an eye on local forecasts and Heat-Health Alerts, make a simple cooling plan, and ask for support before the temperature becomes overwhelming. With regular hydration, cooler rooms, sensible routines and awareness of heat exhaustion symptoms, older adults can stay safer, more comfortable and more confident at home throughout the summer.