Tips to Keep Clients Safe Through Record Temperatures

​This summer, many states have seen record high temperatures across the country.  Seniors and other vulnerable populations are particularly at risk during extreme heatwaves. HCAOA  compiled some helpful tips for caregivers to keep clients safe and cool. Please share these tips with your staff. ​

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Tips for caregivers to assist clients:

1. Stay hydrated. Drink lots of fluids before leaving for work and during your work shift.  Bring a refillable water bottle and remember to drink throughout your shift.
2. Close the blinds or curtains at your clients’ home, especially on windows that face south and west.
3. Make sure your client is also drinking fluids regularly and if you have a short shift make sure you leave a glass of ice water for your client at the end of the shift.
4. Place ice and water in a large bowl and put it in front of the fan to cool the air from the fan.  For those of you on evening duty set this up in the client’s bedroom if applicable before they go to bed.  If the client has air conditioning, make sure it is turned on and working – tell the family if it is not.
5. Client may sweat a lot more during this time, keep client dry and comfortable.  
6. You may sweat a lot during this time too, so bring a face towel to your shift.
7. Put a clean new pillowcase in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer at the start of your shift. After a few hours replace the client’s pillowcase with the cold one so they can have a cool pillow before bed. If your client is experiencing signs of heatstroke (dizziness, rapid heartbeat, vomiting), wet a towel with cold water and place it around their neck. ​