Home alone in the heat this festive season
With Australia facing more hot weather over the next couple of days and temperatures in some places reaching 43 degrees, people are urged to look out for their older community members.
Especially with the holiday season around the corner it is easy to get caught up in festivities and forget about vulnerable older people who live in social isolation.
Consumer lobby group National Seniors is urging Australians to look out for their older neighbours, friends and family members this holiday season, when social isolation can be an additional risk factor in extreme heat.
That’s when a check on older people and maybe a small gift of some food can mean the difference between loneliness and staying connected, says National Seniors chief executive Michael O’Neill.
“With people socialising and catching up with family and friends during the festive season or going away on holidays, many older people are being left out of our collective consciousness,” Mr O’Neill says.
“It’s hard into get the Christmas spirit if you are home alone in the heat without air conditioning – or even a fan – or the prospect of ever-increasing power bills scares you so much you are afraid to switch them on.”
Summer has only just started and there will undoubtedly be more hot weather to come, which could seriously affect the health and wellbeing of vulnerable older people.
Mr O’Neill calls on Australians to make sure their elderly community members have sufficient ventilation in their homes as often older people close their windows, fearing break-ins. They also need to drink sufficient water to stay hydrated.
“Or perhaps you could take them out for a few hours in an air conditioned shopping centre or cinema.
“These may sound like trivial things but to many older people, they would be welcome treats not easily forgotten,” Mr O’Neill says.
Read these six summer survival tips for seniors to beat the heat.
