When a heat wave settles in, the people most at risk are often the ones we are already caring for — older adults, people recovering from surgery, and anyone whose mobility limits how easily they can cool themselves down or get up for a glass of water. A short seasonal check, done before the worst of it arrives, keeps a hot week from turning into an emergency room visit.
Make hydration easy, not optional
Thirst is a weaker signal as we age, so do not wait for it to do the reminding. Keep a filled, lightweight, easy-grip cup within reach at all times — on the overbed table, beside the chair, next to the bed. For someone with limited reach or grip, a cup with a lid and straw prevents both spills and skipped sips, which means more fluid actually gets in. Make it the easiest thing in the room to do.
Cool the room the person actually uses
You do not have to chill the whole house, which is expensive and often impossible. Focus on the bedroom or the chair where they spend most of the day. A fan, shades drawn during peak afternoon sun, and lighter bedding make a real difference. If air conditioning is limited to one room, plan the day around that coolest room rather than trying to cool everything at once.
Watch for the warning signs
- Confusion or unusual drowsiness that does not match the time of day.
- Dry mouth, dizziness, or a headache that will not lift.
- Skin that is hot but oddly not sweating.
These can signal heat illness and warrant a call to the care team — or, for severe symptoms, emergency help right away. When in doubt, do not wait it out; heat illness can escalate quickly in someone who is already frail.
Adjust the routine, not just the thermostat
Move bathing, exercises and any errands to the cooler morning hours wherever you can. If physical-therapy exercises are part of the daily routine, ask the therapist whether to scale them back during extreme heat — pushing through a tough session on the hottest afternoon helps no one. Small timing shifts protect both the person and the caregiver.
Mind the medications and the small comforts
Heat does not act alone. Some common medications — including certain blood-pressure drugs, diuretics (sometimes called water pills), and some used for mood or allergies — can affect how the body handles heat or how much fluid it holds onto. This is not a reason to stop anything; it is a reason to ask the pharmacist or care team whether a current medication list calls for any extra caution in a heat wave, and to do it before the hot stretch rather than during it. A few small comforts help, too: light, loose, breathable clothing; a cool damp cloth on the neck or wrists; and frequent small sips of water rather than one big glass once an hour. For someone who finds plain water unappealing, watery foods like melon, cucumber and broth quietly add to the day’s fluid intake without feeling like a chore.
When to call for help
It helps to decide ahead of time where the lines are, so no one is guessing in the moment. A quick check-in call to the care team is warranted for mild but persistent symptoms — ongoing dizziness, a headache that will not lift, or noticeably less urine than usual, which can signal dehydration. Move straight to emergency help, on the other hand, for the serious signs: a high body temperature, confusion or trouble staying awake, fainting, or hot skin that is not sweating. When you are unsure which category you are in, treat it as the more serious one. Heat illness can escalate quickly in a frail or recovering person, and it is far safer to make a call that turns out to be unnecessary than to wait on one that was.
Our home care guide covers the bedroom setup that makes hot-weather care easier, including bedside tables and reachable essentials, and the glossary and FAQ defines terms you may run into. This is general guidance, not medical advice — your care team can advise on the specifics for the person you care for.