As the hottest week of the year continues with temperatures soaring past 30°C, care homes across the country are taking extra precautions to protect residents. Church View Care Home in Old Swan, Liverpool, has warned that adopting the right procedures could be a matter of 'life or death'.
Vulnerable Residents at Risk
Cheryl Vickerstaffe, 45, manager of Church View Care Home, told the ECHO: 'Obviously the residents are very vulnerable and the risk of dehydration to them, it could be a case of life or death, so that's why our priority is to make sure that they're getting fluids. If we're concerned, we buy things in like juice jellies, that gives them a certain amount of fluids in one jelly sweet.'
She added: 'I think giving them little food and often as well as giving them drinks hourly has kept them hydrated, so we haven't had anyone be sick this week due to the heat, so that's an achievement in itself.'
Heat-Related Deaths on the Rise
According to the British Geriatrics Society, 2,803 people over 65 died due to heat in England in 2022, and it is predicted that by 2050, heat-related deaths could triple each year. An article from the society published earlier this year noted that nursing home deaths rose by 34.1% and residential care home deaths increased by 13% during the July 2022 heatwave.
Residents Speak Out
Eddie Rauer, 78, a resident at Church View, said: 'I do get worried in case I flake out [pass out] in the hot weather. I can't cope with it when it gets this hot, I go dizzy.' However, he added that staff ensure his safety: 'I've been told to drink plenty of drinks by the staff in here. If you don't, you get worse, so I'm going to do what they tell me.'
Challenges in Keeping Cool
The home has adopted special measures, including keeping residents away from direct sunlight. But each resident has unique needs. Cheryl explained: 'We've got one resident who likes to have the curtains open and that can be a bit of a challenge because he's hard of hearing. Every morning this week, he's been like "No, it's daylight, we need them open." But eventually, you get through to him and then he understands.'
Another resident, Pamela Corckish, 77, moved to Liverpool from Washington, US, in her 20s. She said: 'I'm really not used to having it so high. Because in Washington, the temperature usually didn't get above 80°F.'
Care for Bed-Bound Residents
For bed-bound residents, the warm weather poses unique risks. Cheryl said: 'We will allocate certain staff to do certain tasks. We will have staff who will be just caring for the residents in beds, they'll be going round every hour, giving them fluids, checking their well-being, sponging them down, doing all of that.'
She added: 'Me and Tracy [Smith] used to be NHS nurses and I think this type of nursing [working at the care home] is a lot more person-centered, because we know our residents. So, we'll know that Eddie wants to get up in a vest today or we'll know that Lilla will want that cardigan and blanket on, no matter the heat, so then we can prepare for that.'
NHS Advice for Hot Weather
For those most at risk, the NHS advises: keep out of the heat if possible; stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm; wear sunscreen, a hat, and light clothes; avoid strenuous activity; have cold food and drinks; avoid alcohol, caffeine, and hot drinks; take cool showers; keep living spaces cool by closing windows and blinds during the day and opening them at night; use electric fans if temperatures are below 35°C; and check on those at higher risk.
