Did you know heat waves are Australia’s most deadly natural disaster?
Extreme heat causes more hospitalisation and fatalities than any other natural disaster, and with our changing climate, these extreme heat events are becoming longer, more frequent, and more intense.
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures is particularly dangerous for people over 65 years old because as we age, it’s harder for our body to cool and feel higher temperatures, so we might not realise we’re at risk until it’s too late.
As we enter the Summer season, it’s a timely reminder of how quickly temperatures can rise and affect our daily lives. No matter where you live in Australia, extreme heat can have serious implications for health and well-being and given older people often spend most of their time at home, many of our consumers may be especially vulnerable to the effects of heat.
Avoiding dehydration can help reduce heat-related illnesses so be mindful of
the signs of dehydration such as:
- Increased thirst
- Dry mouth, lips, and tongue
- Dizziness, tiredness, or irritability
- Headaches
- Infrequent, or dark yellow urine
Some medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, multiple sclerosis and diabetes can be worsened by the heat, so if you’re living with any of these conditions, we encourage you to reach out to us to develop an action plan to keep you safe and well.
We will update your care plan and ensure your package funds are being directed where they are most needed.
Staying safe during heatwaves
- Stay up-to-date with weather alerts and reschedule non-essential appointments and outdoor activities.
- If you need to head outside, avoid the hottest part of the day, instead try early morning or late afternoon
- Plan ahead and stock up on food and essential medicines
- Know who to call in emergencies and keep a list near or on your phone of important contacts, just in case
- Stay hydrated: to prevent dehydration avoid alcohol and caffeine and drink lots of water instead. And if you have fluid restrictions, speak to your GP about changing your fluid intake to account for the heat
- When at home close the blinds, turn on the aircon or fan and stay in the cooler part of the house. Wet towels will also help keep your body cool
- Prepare your home by getting your air conditioner serviced
- Seek air-conditioned spaces such as shopping centres, cinemas, libraries or even a neighbour’s house
- When outdoors always wear a broad-brimmed hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and seek shade. Look for sun smart clothing – loose fitting, light coloured with sleeves to protect your skin
It’s important to remember that heat related illness can quickly become a life-threatening emergency, so it’s essential to know the signs and what to do.
Please talk to us about heat preparedness and vulnerability and visit the following website for more information: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/heatstroke#:~:text=Heatstroke%20is%20a%20life%20threatening%20condition%20in%20which%20your%20body,It%20is%20sometimes%20called%20hyperthermia.
