The first heatwave of the season has a habit of exposing small gaps that were easy to overlook during the cooler months.
The air conditioner may not have been used since last summer. The client may no longer be able to read the buttons on the remote. Their medicines, mobility or support arrangements may have changed. A family member who checked in last year may now live farther away.
None of these issues appears particularly urgent on a mild spring day.
Once several hot days and nights arrive together, however, a small difficulty can quickly become a serious safety concern.
For occupational therapists, care coordinators and other healthcare professionals, the weeks before the first heatwave provide an important opportunity. A practical heatwave assessment can identify whether a client can keep cool, stay hydrated, change their routine and contact someone if they begin to feel unwell.
The question is not simply whether the client owns a fan or air conditioner.
It is whether their entire heatwave plan will work when the temperature rises.
A heatwave is more than one hot afternoon
The Bureau of Meteorology defines a heatwave as three days or more when maximum and minimum temperatures are unusually high for a particular location.
The overnight temperature matters because the body and the home need time to recover from the heat of the day. When nights remain hot, bedrooms may not cool properly and heat can build across several days.
The Bureau compares forecast temperatures with what is considered hot for the location and with temperatures experienced during the previous 30 days. This means a sharp increase after a cooler period can be significant, even if similar temperatures might feel more manageable later in summer.
The Bureau’s heatwave service provides forecasts of possible heatwaves over the next seven days and warnings when severe or extreme conditions are expected within four days.
That forecast period gives clients, families and service providers time to prepare—but only if someone is watching the warnings and knows what action to take.
Why the first heatwave can catch clients unprepared
By the middle of summer, many people have already adjusted their routines. They know which room stays coolest, when to close the blinds and which activities should be moved to the morning.
The first heatwave often arrives before those habits are in place.
Common issues include:
- Cooling equipment that has not been tested
- Flat batteries in air-conditioner remotes
- Fans stored somewhere the client cannot reach
- Filters that have not been cleaned
- Summer clothing packed away
- Water bottles that are difficult to open or carry
- No plan for shopping, appointments or outdoor activities
- Medicines stored in an unsuitable location
- Emergency contacts that have changed
- A personal alarm that is not being worn or charged
- Support workers visiting during the hottest part of the day
- No alternative location if the home becomes too hot
- Fear of electricity costs preventing the use of air conditioning
The client may confidently say, “I’ve managed plenty of Australian summers.”
That experience matters, but this summer’s plan must be based on their current health, function, home and support network—not only on what they could manage several years ago.
Start with the person, not their age
Older people are more vulnerable to heat-related health problems, particularly when they have chronic health conditions, take certain medicines or have limited ways to keep cool.
However, age alone does not tell you whether someone is prepared.
Two clients of the same age may have completely different risks. One may independently monitor the forecast, adjust the air conditioning and contact family when needed. Another may have reduced mobility, difficulty recognising thirst and no reliable way to leave a hot home.
Consider whether the client:
- Lives alone
- Has experienced heat-related illness before
- Has heart, kidney, lung or neurological conditions
- Has diabetes or another condition affecting hydration
- Has reduced mobility or balance
- Experiences dizziness or fainting
- Has cognitive changes or difficulty following multi-step instructions
- Has reduced vision, hearing or hand function
- Depends on another person for drinks, meals or personal care
- Takes medicines that may affect their response to heat
- Has been advised to restrict fluids
- Has difficulty recognising or communicating symptoms
- Lives in an upper-floor unit or poorly insulated home
- Has limited access to air conditioning
- Avoids using cooling because of cost
- Is socially isolated
- Relies on powered medical or mobility equipment
- Has limited transport options
- Cannot safely reach a cooler public place independently
Risk often comes from a combination of factors rather than one medical diagnosis.
A client with reasonable health may still be vulnerable if they cannot operate their cooling equipment, carry a drink safely or recognise when the home is becoming too hot.
Ask what happened last summer
One of the most useful questions is also one of the simplest:
“What was the hottest day like for you last summer?”
Follow-up questions might include:
- Which room did you use?
- How did you keep cool?
- Did you sleep comfortably?
- Did you feel dizzy, weak, confused or unwell?
- Were you able to prepare meals?
- Did you drink more than usual?
- Did you avoid drinking because of continence concerns?
- Did you lose power?
- Did anyone check on you?
- Did you need to leave the house?
- Was there anything you could not manage by yourself?
- What would you do differently this year?
The client’s answers may reveal practical barriers that are not obvious during a standard home assessment.
A person may own an air conditioner but use it only when family visits because they are unsure about the controls. They may have stopped drinking regularly because getting to the toilet has become difficult. They may have remained in a hot bedroom because the cooler room was not accessible with their walking frame.
These details are where a useful heatwave plan begins.
Assess the home as the client actually uses it
A home should not be considered “cool” simply because it contains an air conditioner.
During the assessment, look at where the client spends the morning, afternoon and night.
Consider:
- Which rooms receive direct afternoon sun?
- Do blinds, curtains or external shading block the heat?
- Can the client open and close them independently?
- Can windows be opened safely when the outdoor air becomes cooler?
- Does the client understand when windows should remain closed?
- Is there one room that can be kept cooler than the rest of the home?
- Is the bedroom likely to remain hot overnight?
- Can the client safely move to the coolest room?
- Is there a suitable chair or bed in that space?
- Are fans and air conditioners working?
- Are cords creating a trip hazard?
- Can the client reach the controls?
- Does the client know which settings to use?
- Is drinking water easily accessible?
- Can meals be prepared without using the oven?
- Is the bathroom safe for cool showers or foot baths?
- Does the client have suitable lightweight clothing and bedding?
It may be helpful to visit at the time when the home usually becomes hottest. A comfortable room at 9 am may feel very different at 3 pm.
Simple changes can make a meaningful difference. These may include moving a preferred chair into a cooler room, adding clearer labels to a remote control, relocating drinks to an accessible shelf or creating a safer path between the bedroom and bathroom.
Check whether the client can operate the cooling equipment
Equipment is only useful when the client can operate it confidently.
Ask the client to demonstrate how they would:
- Switch on the air conditioner or fan
- Select an appropriate mode
- Adjust the temperature or fan speed
- Change the batteries in the remote
- Recognise whether the unit is working
- Close blinds or curtains
- Move the fan without creating a trip hazard
- Contact someone if the equipment stops working
Watch rather than relying on a verbal “yes.”
Small remote-control buttons may be difficult for someone with reduced vision, tremor, arthritis or limited hand strength. Symbols may be confusing. A client with cognitive changes may accidentally select heating mode or switch the unit off without realising it.
Possible solutions include:
- Adding large, high-contrast labels
- Covering controls the client does not need
- Writing one or two simple operating steps
- Keeping the remote in a consistent location
- Using a larger or simpler compatible controller
- Including air-conditioner use in support-worker instructions
- Arranging servicing before summer
- Identifying who will respond if the equipment fails
The aim is not to teach every function. It is to make the essential actions as easy and repeatable as possible.
Discuss the cost of cooling directly
Some clients do not use their air conditioning because they are worried about the electricity bill.
They may not mention this unless asked.
A client might say the heat “doesn’t bother them” when the real concern is cost. Others may run the air conditioner for visitors but switch it off as soon as they are alone.
Approach the subject respectfully:
- Are you comfortable using the air conditioner when you are alone?
- Do electricity costs ever stop you from switching it on?
- Do you know which room is most economical to cool?
- Would you like help checking whether you qualify for any energy concessions?
- Is there somewhere else you can go if the home becomes too hot?
Do not assume that owning an appliance means the client feels able to use it.
If cost remains a barrier, the heatwave plan should include an accessible alternative such as a family member’s home, community facility, library or shopping centre.
Make hydration practical
Telling someone to “drink more water” is not always enough.
The client must be able to access, open, pour, carry and remember to drink it.
Check whether:
- Drinks are within easy reach
- Bottles and containers are easy to open
- Cups are comfortable to hold
- The client can safely carry a drink while using a walking aid
- Water can be kept beside the usual chair or bed
- Visual or timed prompts would help
- The client avoids drinking because of continence concerns
- Toileting is safe and accessible
- Someone is available to prepare drinks if assistance is needed
- The client understands the signs of dehydration
Signs may include thirst, a dry mouth, dizziness, tiredness, dark or strong-smelling urine and passing less urine than usual.
If the client has been advised to restrict fluids because of a heart, kidney or other medical condition, do not encourage them to ignore that advice. Their GP or treating team should provide individual guidance for hot weather.
Practical strategies might include setting up several lightweight water bottles, using an easy-grip cup, placing drinks at regular activity points or including hydration prompts in the daily care plan.
Arrange a medicine review when appropriate
Some health conditions and medicines can affect the way a person responds to heat or dehydration.
The occupational therapist or support worker does not need to determine independently which medicines are responsible. The important step is recognising when a professional medication review is needed.
Encourage the client or family to speak with their GP or pharmacist if:
- Medicines have changed since last summer
- The client has recently experienced dizziness or fainting
- They take several medicines
- They are unsure how medicines should be stored
- They have a fluid restriction
- They use medicines that require refrigeration
- They have previously become unwell during hot weather
- A power failure could affect medicine storage or medical equipment
Clients should not stop, reduce or reschedule prescribed medicines without advice from the appropriate health professional.
The plan should also identify what will happen to temperature-sensitive medicines during a power outage.
Adjust the daily routine before the heat arrives
A heatwave plan should change what happens during the day.
Waiting until the client feels unwell may be too late.
Review whether the client should:
- Move appointments to cooler days or times
- Complete essential outings early in the morning
- Avoid gardening and strenuous housework
- Arrange grocery or medicine delivery
- Prepare simple meals that do not require the oven
- Spend the hottest part of the day in the coolest room
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing
- Use cool showers, damp cloths or foot baths if safe
- Keep blinds and curtains closed before direct sun reaches the windows
- Rest more frequently
- Change support-worker visit times
- Postpone non-essential travel
- Reduce time spent outdoors
Care providers should also consider how the heat may affect service delivery. Transport delays, staff availability, power failures and changes to scheduled visits can all affect the client’s plan.
Identify a safe place to go
Not every home can be kept at a safe or comfortable temperature.
If the client’s home becomes too hot, there should be a realistic alternative.
This could be:
- A family member’s home
- A neighbour’s air-conditioned home
- A library
- A shopping centre
- A community centre
- Temporary accommodation arranged through the care provider
The plan needs more detail than simply naming the location.
Ask:
- How will the client know when it is time to leave?
- Who will provide transport?
- Can the client access the building with their mobility aid?
- Is there an accessible toilet?
- Can essential medicines and equipment be taken?
- Is the destination open during the required hours?
- What is the backup if the first location is unavailable?
- Can the client stay there during the evening if the home remains hot?
A destination is not a reliable part of the plan until the client can realistically get there.
Prepare for a power outage
Heatwaves can place pressure on electricity infrastructure, and severe weather may interrupt power or mobile services.
Before summer, confirm that the client has:
- A working torch
- Spare batteries
- A charged mobile phone
- A portable power bank
- Accessible drinking water
- Food that does not require cooking
- Essential medicines
- Emergency contact numbers in a readable format
- A battery-operated radio, where appropriate
- A plan for powered medical equipment
- A safe place to relocate if cooling is unavailable
If the client relies on powered medical equipment, the outage plan should be discussed with their healthcare team, equipment provider and electricity provider.
Do not assume a phone, personal alarm or backup battery will operate indefinitely during an outage. Check the instructions for each device and make sure the people involved understand its limitations.
Create a specific check-in plan
“Family will check on them” is not a complete plan.
A useful check-in arrangement identifies:
- Who will call
- What time they will call
- How often contact will occur
- Who provides backup
- What happens if the client does not answer
- Who can access the home
- When emergency services should be contacted
- Whether the client can initiate contact themselves
The questions asked during the call also matter.
Instead of only asking, “Are you okay?”, encourage contacts to ask:
- Is your air conditioner or fan working?
- Are you sitting in the coolest room?
- What have you had to drink?
- Have you passed urine normally?
- Are you feeling dizzy, weak, nauseated or confused?
- Do you need help with food, medicine or transport?
- Is your phone or personal alarm charged?
A client may automatically say they are fine. Specific questions make it easier to identify a developing problem.
Consider whether the client can call for help
Heat-related weakness, dizziness or confusion may make it difficult to reach a phone. Heat can also increase the likelihood of a fall when someone is unsteady or rushing to the bathroom.
A personal alarm will not prevent heat-related illness, and it should not replace cooling, hydration or regular contact. It can, however, provide another way for the client to call for assistance.
The appropriate system will depend on the client’s routine.
The CareAlert Home Alarm includes a wearable pendant designed for use around the home, backyard, garden and garage, within range of the base unit.
For clients who regularly leave home, the CareAlert Mobile Alarm provides a portable SOS button, two-way communication and GPS location features where compatible 4G coverage is available.
The CareAlert Emergency Watch offers a wrist-worn option with an SOS button, GPS location, two-way communication and automatic fall detection.
When including an alarm in the heatwave plan, check that:
- The client is willing to wear it
- They can activate the SOS button
- They understand what happens after activation
- It is charged or connected correctly
- Emergency contacts are current
- It works in the areas the client normally uses
- The client knows that automatic fall detection cannot identify every fall
- Contacts know how to respond to an alert
- The device is tested according to its instructions
CareAlert’s Health Care Hub provides product information, comparisons, ordering support and resources for occupational therapists, aged care providers and other healthcare professionals.
Make sure everyone recognises heat-related illness
Clients, families and support workers should know the early warning signs.
Heat exhaustion may include:
- Heavy sweating
- Thirst
- Weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Headache
- Dizziness or faintness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness
- Clammy skin
- A raised body temperature
Move the person to a cooler place, remove unnecessary clothing and begin cooling them with cool water, damp cloths, a fan or cool packs. If they are fully alert and normally permitted to drink, offer small amounts of cool water.
Seek medical advice if symptoms are significant, worsen or do not improve promptly.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency.
Warning signs may include:
- Confusion or unusual behaviour
- Poor coordination
- Slurred speech
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- A very high body temperature
- Rapid breathing or pulse
- Severe worsening of earlier symptoms
Call triple zero (000) immediately if heatstroke is suspected. Begin cooling the person while waiting for help and follow the emergency operator’s instructions. Do not give fluids to someone who is unconscious, confused or unable to swallow safely.
More information is available from Healthdirect’s heatstroke guidance.
Rehearse the plan on an ordinary day
A plan that has only been discussed has not yet been tested.
Before the first heatwave, ask the client to demonstrate the important steps:
- Find the weather or heatwave warning.
- Close the blinds or curtains.
- Switch on the cooling equipment.
- Move safely to the coolest room.
- Prepare or access a drink.
- Contact the nominated person.
- Activate the personal alarm during a planned test.
- Explain what they would do if the power failed.
- Identify where they would go if the home became too hot.
- Describe the symptoms that would require urgent help.
The rehearsal may reveal unexpected problems.
The client might be unable to hear the air conditioner start, carry water into the cooler room or remember which family member to call. Addressing these issues on a mild day is much easier than discovering them during extreme heat.
Include the plan in handovers and care documentation
Heatwave preparation should not depend on one staff member remembering the details.
Document:
- Individual risk factors
- The coolest room in the home
- Cooling equipment and operating instructions
- Hydration supports
- Fluid restrictions
- Relevant medical guidance
- Changes to activities and appointments
- Check-in times
- Emergency contacts
- Key or home-access arrangements
- The backup cooling location
- Transport arrangements
- Power-outage procedures
- Personal alarm instructions
- Escalation steps
- Who is responsible for each action
- When the plan will be reviewed
Support workers should know what they are expected to check during each visit and when concerns should be escalated.
A quick first-heatwave checklist
Before the season’s first heatwave, confirm that:
- The client knows where to find heatwave warnings
- Fans and air conditioners have been tested
- The client can operate the cooling equipment
- Remotes have working batteries
- Blinds, curtains and windows are manageable
- The coolest room has been identified
- Drinks are easy to access and handle
- Fluid restrictions have been clarified
- Medicine storage has been reviewed
- Outdoor activities can be postponed
- Shopping and prescriptions are organised
- Check-in times and contacts are confirmed
- Someone can access the home if required
- A backup cool location and transport plan are available
- Power-outage supplies are ready
- Phones and personal alarms are charged
- The personal alarm has been tested
- The client recognises the signs of heat illness
- Everyone knows when to call triple zero
- The plan has been practised rather than only discussed
Preparation protects independence
Heatwave planning is not about telling an older person to stay indoors all summer or taking control of their routine.
It is about making sure they can continue living at home with practical supports that reflect their choices, abilities and circumstances.
An air conditioner is not a complete heatwave plan if the client cannot operate it. Water in the fridge is not helpful if they cannot carry it safely. Having family nearby is not enough unless everyone knows who will call and what happens if there is no answer.
The first heatwave should not be the first time these details are tested.
By reviewing the home, practising essential actions and putting clear support arrangements in place, occupational therapists and care providers can help clients face hot weather with greater confidence.
The best time to discover a gap in the plan is while the weather is still mild—not when the house is already hot and the client is beginning to feel unwell.