Forecasters are expecting another spell of hot weather this month, with temperatures in parts of southern England potentially reaching the high 20s and low 30s°C over the coming days, and further warm spells likely through July. For the people we support, whether that's due to age, a mental health condition, a learning difficulty, reduced mobility, or medications that affect how the body handles heat, this kind of weather needs a bit of extra care and planning.

Here's what we're doing, and what you can do too, to keep everyone safe, cool, and comfortable.

Why Heat Can Be Riskier for the People We Support

Heat affects everyone differently, and several factors can increase the risk for the people in our care:

• Reduced thirst sensation, common in older age, which means someone may not feel thirsty even when they're dehydrated
• Chronic physical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease, which make it harder for the body to cope with heat stress
• Reduced mobility, which can make it harder to move to a cooler spot or open a window independently
• Thinner, more fragile skin, which sweats less effectively, common in older adults
• Communication or cognitive differences, which may mean someone can't easily tell us they're too hot, feeling unwell, or thirsty, so we need to look out for non-verbal signs
• Sensory sensitivities, which some people with learning difficulties or autism may experience, making heat, sun, or changes to routine harder to tolerate and requiring a gentler, more patient approach
• Certain mental health conditions, which can affect a person's awareness of their own body temperature or their motivation to drink fluids or seek shade
• Medications, covered in more detail below, which can affect the body's ability to regulate temperature or increase dehydration risk

This is why heatwaves are treated as a genuine health risk across our services, not just an inconvenience.

How Heat Can Affect Medications

Hot weather doesn't just make people uncomfortable. It can also change how well the body copes with certain medications, and some medications can make it harder for the body to regulate its own temperature or stay hydrated.

This can affect a range of commonly prescribed medications, including some antidepressants, antipsychotics, diuretics ("water tablets"), blood pressure medications, and antihistamines, among others.

We're not asking families or residents to change any medication themselves, and this isn't intended as medical advice. If anyone has concerns about how a specific medication might interact with hot weather, this should always be discussed with the person's GP, psychiatrist, or pharmacist, who can advise on a case by case basis. Our clinical team is also happy to help arrange this conversation if needed.

If anyone shows signs of feeling unwell in the heat, especially if they're on regular medication, we'll always err on the side of caution and seek medical advice promptly.

Our Approach to Keeping the People We Support Safe

Monitoring and hydration

• Fluid intake will be tracked more closely during hot spells, with water and squash offered regularly, not just at mealtimes
• Staff will keep a closer eye on anyone whose medication may be affected by heat, as flagged in their care plan, as this can increase dehydration risk

Keeping rooms cool

• Curtains and blinds will be closed on sun-facing rooms during the day and opened again in the evening
• Windows will be opened early morning and at night when it's cooler, and closed once the outside temperature rises above the indoor temperature
• Electric fans will be available, positioned to circulate air rather than blow directly and continuously on anyone, and avoided altogether for anyone very frail or with breathing difficulties, as they can be less effective in very high humidity

Adjusting daily routines

• Physically demanding activities will be moved to cooler parts of the day
• Lighter meals will be offered, as heavy meals can add to the body's workload
• Staff will help people into loose, lightweight, light-coloured clothing
• For anyone who finds changes to routine difficult, changes will be introduced gradually and explained clearly, with familiar comforts kept in place where possible

Watching for warning signs

Staff are trained to spot the early signs of heat-related illness, which can be subtle and may show up as changes in behaviour rather than a clear complaint:

• Confusion, increased disorientation, or unusual agitation
• Dizziness or weakness
• Headache
• Fast breathing or a fast pulse
• Dry mouth, dark urine, or reduced urination
• Cramps in the arms, legs, or stomach
• Withdrawal, unusual quietness, or a change in someone's usual behaviour

If any of these appear, the person will be moved to a cooler area immediately, given fluids, and a nurse or GP will be contacted without delay. Signs of heatstroke, such as a temperature above 38°C, confusion, or loss of consciousness, are a medical emergency and will be treated as such straight away.

What Families Can Do

Check in during visits. A quick chat can help you notice changes in alertness, mood, or behaviour that might otherwise be missed.

Bring light, breathable clothing if your relative's or loved one's wardrobe is mostly heavier fabrics.

Ask staff about medication reviews if they're on multiple medications, this is something their GP, psychiatrist, or our clinical team can look at together during hot weather.

Let us know if they've shown signs of struggling with heat in the past, so we can plan ahead for them specifically.

A Few Tips for Anyone Supporting a Loved One at Home

If you're caring for someone at home rather than in one of our services, the same principles apply:

Encourage regular sips of water throughout the day, even without feeling thirsty

Keep living spaces cool by closing blinds during the day

Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm, when it's strongest

Check on neighbours or relatives who may be more vulnerable at least once a day during a heatwave

Never leave anyone in a parked car, even briefly

Questions?

If you have any concerns about someone's ability to cope with the heat, or want to talk through their care plan for the warmer months, please don't hesitate to speak with the team. We'd rather have the conversation early than wait for a problem to develop.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and look out for one another.

The Manor community team