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The best way to keep an older parent safe during a NSW heatwave is to prepare their home and support plan before the extreme heat arrives.
Test the air conditioner, close blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day, set up a cool room with water and a phone nearby, and make sure food, medicines, and personal care supplies are stocked.
Encourage small, regular drinks unless their doctor has restricted their fluid intake, and check in with them at an agreed time on very hot days.
Watch for dizziness, nausea, unusual tiredness, confusion, muscle cramps, or darker urine, and call 000 immediately if they collapse, become unresponsive, have a seizure, or show signs of heat stroke.
It's 41 degrees in Penrith and you're on the phone to Mum. She tells you she's fine. She's had a cup of tea, the fan's going, and she'd really rather you didn't make a fuss. But you can hear that fan working hard in the background, and you know it's just pushing hot air from one side of the lounge room to the other.
If you care for an older parent, especially from across town or across the state, that call probably sounds familiar. You want to respect their independence. They've run their own home for decades and they don't love being told what to do. At the same time, you can't be there every hot afternoon to check they're drinking enough or that the air con's actually switched on.
The good news is that most of the work happens before summer arrives. With El Niño currently underway and potentially continuing into the warmer months, spring is a sensible time to get organised. The Bureau of Meteorology says El Niño can increase the risk of hotter days and extreme temperature shifts, but the actual summer outlook depends on several climate factors.
A Simple Heatwave Plan for an Older Parent
Before summer, make sure your parent has:
- A working air conditioner or cooling plan
- A cool room they can retreat to
- Enough water, food and essential medicines
- Essential personal care and continence supplies
- A plan for power outages
- A regular check-in time during hot weather
- Someone nearby who can check on them if they don't answer
- A clear understanding of when to call healthdirect or 000
NSW Health specifically recommends preparing before hot weather, checking cooling equipment, arranging contact with family or neighbours, and making sure people have enough food and medication so they don't need to go out in the heat.
Why Are Older People More at Risk in a Heatwave?
Older people are more at risk in a heatwave because their bodies don't cool down as efficiently. After about 65, skin doesn't sweat as well and the feeling of thirst kicks in later, so an older person can heat up faster and become dehydrated without realising it.
Existing health conditions add to that risk. Heart and kidney conditions, diabetes, dementia and Parkinson's can all affect how the body copes with heat, or how well someone notices they're struggling.
Living situation matters as much as age. NSW Health lists socially isolated people as a higher risk group, because there's nobody nearby to spot the early signs. A parent living alone in an older brick or fibro home in Dubbo or Wagga, where the walls soak up heat all day and release it well into the night, faces a very different summer to someone in a well-insulated unit with family down the road.
Heat strain also tends to linger. Poor sleep, dehydration and exhaustion can hang around for a few days after the cool change comes through, so keep your check-ins going once the temperature drops.
Can Medications Increase Heat-Related Risk?
Yes, some can. Fluid tablets, some heart and blood pressure medicines, and certain medicines for mood, sleep, bladder control or Parkinson's can affect how the body holds onto fluid or controls its temperature. Please don't stop or change anything on your own. Instead, ask your parent's GP or pharmacist whether any of their current medicines affect how they handle hot weather, and what to do if a heatwave is forecast.
What Are the Signs of Heat Stress in an Older Person?
The early signs of heat stress in an older person include headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, unusual tiredness and darker urine than normal. They may also seem more irritable, vague or confused than usual.
That last sign is the easiest to miss. A bit of confusion on a hot afternoon can easily be put down to tiredness or a bad day, and for a parent living with dementia it can be hard to tell what's heat and what's their usual pattern.
If it's hot and your parent seems noticeably different from usual, take the possibility of heat-related illness seriously. Confusion, unusual behaviour, weakness or dizziness can be signs that they need to be cooled down and monitored closely.
If you notice early signs, act straight away. Help them move to the coolest room in the house, encourage small sips of water, and cool their skin with wet cloths on the neck and wrists or a cool shower. If they don't start to improve, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. It's free, available 24 hours a day, and you'll speak with a registered nurse.
What's the Difference Between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke?
Heat exhaustion is the earlier stage, with the symptoms above. Heat stroke happens when the body can no longer control its own temperature, and it's a medical emergency.
Call 000 immediately if your parent has:
- A sudden rise in body temperature
- Stopped sweating, even though they're hot
- Strange, confused or aggressive behaviour
- Collapsed, had a fit or become unresponsive
While you wait for the ambulance, move them somewhere cool and keep cooling their skin with water. Don't give paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen to bring their temperature down. NSW Health advises getting a doctor's advice before giving these medicines for heat illness.
How Do I Get My Parent's Home Ready Before Summer?
The best time to prepare an older person's home for a heatwave is spring, before the first warning is issued. A few jobs now will save a stressful scramble later.
Start by testing the air conditioner and any fans. If the air con hasn't been serviced in a while, book it in now, before technicians get busy. NSW Health suggests setting it to 24 degrees, which keeps people comfortable while keeping power bills and demand on the grid down.
Next, look at the windows. West and north-facing windows let in the most heat, so blinds, heavy curtains or external shade make a real difference. On hot days, close them in the morning before the sun hits, then open windows in the evening once it's cooler outside than in.
It also helps to choose one room as the "heatwave room". Pick the coolest spot in the house and set it up with a comfortable chair, a fan, a jug of water, a phone charger and anything else your parent might need for the afternoon. When a hot day arrives, everyone knows where to go.
Then think about supplies, so your parent doesn't need to go out in the heat. Stock up on easy meals, make sure prescriptions are filled, and keep about a fortnight's worth of continence and personal care supplies in the cupboard. Having continence products delivered to their door means nobody's driving to the shops in 40 degree heat.
Finally, plan for a power outage. Agree on a cool place your parent can go, such as a local library, shopping centre or a family member's home, and how they'll get there. If they rely on medical equipment that needs power, see the rebate section below about registering as a life support customer.
How Do I Keep My Parent Cool and Hydrated During a Heatwave?
The simplest way to keep an older person hydrated in hot weather is small, regular drinks throughout the day. Large glasses can feel like a chore, while frequent sips are much easier to keep up. Keep a jug of water in the fridge and offer icy poles, watermelon, jelly and cold soups, which all count towards fluid intake.
The NSW Health urine colour chart is an easy way to check. Pale yellow generally means they're drinking enough, while darker urine is a sign they need more.
There's one important exception. If your parent's GP has limited their fluids because of a heart or kidney condition, don't simply encourage them to drink more. Ask the GP ahead of time what they should do on very hot days.
For staying cool, light and loose cotton clothing and bedding helps, along with cool damp cloths on the neck and wrists. Lukewarm showers are one of the most effective ways to bring body temperature down. If your parent is unsteady on their feet, a shower chair lets them sit and take their time without worrying about slipping.
Fans are useful, but in extreme heat they can end up circulating hot air. They work best alongside damp skin, closed blinds and air conditioning, or as a backup while your parent heads to a cooler place.
Skin needs extra care in summer too. Heat and sweat raise the risk of heat rash and skin breakdown, particularly for anyone who uses continence products or sits for long periods. Changing products more often, keeping skin clean and dry, and using a barrier cream and gentle skin cleanser can help protect it. Breathable continence products are also worth considering for the warmer months.
Lastly, plan around the hottest part of the day. Gardening, shopping and appointments are best done early in the morning.
What If My Parent Refuses Help or Says They're Fine?
If your parent insists they're fine, you're far from alone. "I've lived through worse than this," "the air con costs too much," and "stop fussing" are some of the most common things carers hear.
It often helps to present the plan as something you're working out together, rather than a set of rules. Ask your parent to help choose the heatwave room and decide what goes in it. Agree on a check-in time that suits both of you. People are far more likely to follow a plan they helped create.
You could also try framing it around your own peace of mind. Something like "I know you're fine, but it'd really help me stop worrying if we had a plan" can land better than a list of risks.
If cost is behind the resistance, take that seriously, because running air con through a long summer adds up. The rebates below may help, and having the numbers ready can make the conversation easier.
How Can I Check on My Parent If I Don't Live Nearby?
The most reliable way to check on a parent from a distance is an agreed call time on hot days, plus a backup person who lives nearby. A neighbour, friend or local relative who can knock on the door if your parent doesn't answer is worth arranging well before summer.
Keep an eye on NSW Ambulance heatwave warnings and the Bureau of Meteorology Heatwave Service, and check the forecast for your parent's postcode rather than your own. It might be a pleasant 28 degrees where you are while it's pushing 43 in their town.
If your parent is registered with My Aged Care, Red Cross Telecross offers a free daily phone call to check they're okay. If they already receive Support at Home services, ask their provider how they look after clients during heatwaves, as some increase contact on extreme heat days.
For a parent who's at risk of dizziness or falls, a personal alarm gives them a simple way to call for help if they can't reach the phone.
Is There Financial Help in NSW for Keeping Cool?
Yes, there's some financial help in NSW for people who need to run cooling or medical equipment for health reasons.
The NSW Medical Energy Rebate provides up to $285 a year for retail electricity customers, or $313.50 for people in embedded networks such as some retirement villages. It's for concession card holders who can't regulate their own body temperature because of a medical condition. A doctor who's treated them for at least three months needs to sign the application form. Retail customers apply through their electricity retailer.
The Life Support Rebate is for people who use approved energy-intensive medical equipment at home, such as an oxygen concentrator. If this applies to your parent, also register them as a life support customer with their electricity retailer so they're told about planned outages in advance.
If your parent receives Support at Home, the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme may help fund equipment where it's assessed as needed. My Aged Care is the best place to start.
What Should a Summer Heat Plan for an Older Parent Include?
A good summer heat plan for an older parent comes down to five steps:
- Get the home ready: test the air con, sort window shading and set up a heatwave room.
- Stock up on supplies: food, medicines and a fortnight of personal care products.
- Know the signs: early heat stress, and when it's time to call 000.
- Agree on a check-in plan: a set call time, a local backup person and the right warnings for their postcode.
- Sort the rebates: apply early so cost doesn't stop anyone using the air con.
A bit of planning in spring makes the hottest days much easier for everyone, including you. If you'd like to get supplies sorted early, it's worth ordering before the Christmas and New Year delivery slowdown, so everything's in the cupboard before the first heatwave arrives.
This article is general information only and doesn't replace advice from your parent's doctor or pharmacist. If you're worried about their health, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or 000 in an emergency.
FAQs About Keeping an Older Parent Safe During a Heatwave
What are the early signs of heat stress in an older person?
Early signs of heat stress can include headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, unusual tiredness and darker urine than normal. An older person may also become more irritable, vague or confused. If something seems unusual on a hot day, take it seriously and help them move somewhere cooler.
How do I keep my elderly parent cool during a heatwave?
Help them stay in the coolest part of the house, close blinds or curtains before the sun reaches the windows, and use air conditioning where available. Cool damp cloths, lukewarm showers and light, loose clothing can also help. Fans can be useful, but during extreme heat they should be used alongside other cooling measures rather than relied on by themselves.
How can I make sure an older parent living alone stays safe in a heatwave?
Agree on a regular check-in time for hot days and arrange a nearby person who can check on them if they don't answer. It's also useful to prepare a cool room, stock up on food, medicines and personal care supplies, and check heatwave warnings for their local area. If they are at risk of falls or dizziness, a personal alarm may provide another way to call for help.
How much water should an older person drink during a heatwave?
Older people generally benefit from drinking small amounts regularly throughout the day rather than waiting until they feel thirsty. However, there isn't one amount that's right for everyone. If your parent has been advised to restrict fluids because of a heart or kidney condition, ask their GP what they should do during very hot weather rather than increasing their fluid intake yourself.
When should I call 000 for an older person with heat illness?
Call 000 immediately if an older person has a sudden rise in body temperature, stops sweating despite being hot, becomes strangely confused or aggressive, collapses, has a fit or becomes unresponsive. While waiting for an ambulance, move them somewhere cool and continue cooling their skin with water.
What should I put in a heatwave emergency kit for an older parent?
A practical heatwave kit can include bottled or chilled water, easy-to-eat food, a phone charger, medications, cool damp cloths and personal care supplies. It can also help to have a fan or other cooling equipment available, along with a personal alarm if your parent is at risk of falls. Preparing these items before summer means they are ready when a heatwave arrives.
Can a shower chair help an older person stay safe during a heatwave?
A shower chair can give an older person a stable place to sit while having a cool or lukewarm shower, particularly if they are unsteady or become dizzy in the heat. It can make cooling down more manageable while also reducing the need to stand for long periods in the bathroom.
Preparing before summer can make heatwaves much easier to manage. If you're helping an older parent get their home and personal care supplies ready, the Platinum Health Supply team can help you find practical products for everyday care.
