Red Heat Alert This Week: How We're Keeping Our Residents and Home Care Clients Safe

At Twelve Trees Care, we've been making sure every resident and every home care client is properly looked after through this heat, and I wanted to share what we're doing alongside some practical advice for families.

What's Happening This Week

This is only the second red heat-health alert ever issued by the UK Health Security Agency, the first being back in July 2022. Temperature records for June are expected to be broken, and several nights this week won't drop below 20°C, which means very little chance for the body to recover overnight before the heat builds again the next day.

Yorkshire sits under the amber alert rather than red, but amber still means a real risk to health, particularly for older people and anyone with an underlying condition. Research published this year found that around 4 in 10 people don't take protective action even when an alert is issued — so it's worth not waiting for red before doing something about it.

Who Needs Extra Care in This Heat

UKHSA's guidance now classes anyone aged 65 and over as higher risk, a change from the previous threshold of 75. Also at higher risk are people with dementia, heart or breathing conditions, diabetes, kidney disease or Parkinson's, anyone on multiple medicines, and anyone living alone who might not have someone checking on them regularly.

Temperature records for June are expected to be broken

How We're Keeping Things Cool at Twelve Trees

Both our Sheffield and Leeds care homes have cool, air-conditioned lounges, so residents always have a comfortable space to relax in away from the heat. Our care teams are keeping a close eye on fluid intake, adjusting daily routines to avoid the hottest part of the day, and following our usual care plans closely so any early signs of heat-related illness are picked up quickly.

It's the same approach for our home care clients across Sheffield — our carers are checking that homes are kept cool, encouraging regular drinks, and keeping an eye on anyone who might be more vulnerable to the heat.

Practical Steps to Stay Safe at Home

Staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways to stay safe in warm weather

A few simple things make a real difference in this kind of heat:

• Drink water regularly, even without feeling thirsty
• Keep curtains closed and windows shaded during the hottest part of the day, opening them again in the evening
• Avoid going outside between 11am and 3pm if you can help it
• Check that any regular medicines don't need different storage in the heat — a quick chat with a GP or pharmacist will confirm this
• Wear light, loose clothing, and keep an eye on anyone who seems unusually quiet, confused or unwell

A Word About Dementia and Heat

Heat affects people with dementia differently. They may not feel thirsty even when they badly need fluids, and their bodies may be less able to cool themselves down naturally. This means waiting to be asked for a drink isn't enough — fluids need to be offered regularly rather than left for someone to request.

Heat Exhaustion vs Heatstroke: Know the Signs

See Our Cool, Air-Conditioned Lounges

Here's a quick look at how we're keeping residents comfortable this week.

Worried About a Relative?

If you've got a relative or neighbour who's elderly, lives alone, or has a long-term health condition, now's a good time to check in on them — even a quick phone call or visit can make a real difference.