HEAT WAVE IN WASHINGTON Keep Caregivers & Clients Safe!
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Another heat wave is on the way to Washington state this week. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch beginning Wednesday afternoon (August 11) through Saturday evening (August 14). The HCAOA Washington Chapter/WAHCA reminds all home care agencies to be prepared. Share the tips below and this important information from DOH with your caregivers.
Tips for Caregivers to Beat the Heat!
- Stay hydrated. Drink lots of fluids before leaving for work and during your work shift. Bring a refillable water bottle and remember to drink throughout your shift.
- Close the blinds or curtains at your clients’ home, especially on windows that face south and west.
- Make sure your client is also drinking fluids regularly and if you have a short shift make sure you leave a glass of ice water for your client at the end of the shift.
- Place ice and water in a large bowl and put it in front of the fan to cool the air from the fan. For those of you on evening duty set this up in the client’s bedroom if applicable before they go to bed. If the client has air conditioning, make sure it is turned on and working – tell the family if it is not.
- Client may sweat a lot more during this time, keep the client dry and comfortable.
- You may sweat a lot during this time too, so bring a face towel to your shift.
- Put a clean new pillowcase in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer at the start of your shift. After a few hours replace the client’s pillowcase with the cold one so they can have a cool pillow before bed.
- If you client is experiencing signs of heat stroke (dizziness, rapid heartbeat, vomiting), wet a towel with cold water and place around their neck. Call the office.
Home Care Association of America
444 N. Capitol Street NW, Suite 428
Washington, DC 20001
www.hcaoa.org • (202) 519-2960
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