Tips for keeping cool:
- Encourage your loved one to drink more fluids than usual, but avoid tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid the outdoors during the hottest times of day (from 11 am to 4 pm). Drive as close as possible to the doors of buildings you are travelling to in order to avoid long walks in the heat. If you do go outside, find a cool, shady spot to rest in.
- Make sure the person is dressed in lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes. Try to stick to natural fibres like cotton. Use hats and umbrellas outside.
- Use air conditioning, or frequent air conditioned public spaces like malls or libraries if your homes do not have it.
- Stick to light meals and don’t use the oven or stove if possible.
- Check in several times a day—or get friends or neighbors to stop by—particularly if the person lives alone. If they lack transportation, make sure there is someone to take the person to appointments, for groceries, etc.
- Monitor your loved one: remember that they may not be able to tell when they are becoming over-heated, or may not be able to express their discomfort.
- Keep bedding light and clean, particularly if a person is bedridden. A bed frame can also help circulate air underneath the bed.
Don’t know where to turn? We have quick tips
About the author
