The Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, is advising older people to stay hydrated and avoid direct sun light to keep good health during the hot weather, ahead of a status yellow high temperature warning for the coming days.

People aged over 65 and those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, dementia and conditions affecting their breathing, heart and kidneys can be particularly vulnerable at this time.

Minister Butler said, “heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are potentially serious health risks for people during a heatwave. I urge older people, and anyone caring for someone, to take steps to stay cool and hydrated and monitor for signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion. It is important to remember that your GP or pharmacist will be able to advise you if any of your medicines might make you more likely to become ill from the heat.”

Be SunSmart :

• Make sure you have enough water to drink; an adult needs approximate 2 litres of liquid over 24 hours. Put drinks in the fridge to cool.
• Stay out of direct sunlight for prolonged periods as much as possible during the day, especially between the hours of 11am to 3pm when UV is strongest
• Regularly and liberally apply sunscreen that has a sun protection factor of at least 30+ for adults
• Wear light and loose-fitting clothing that covers your skin, wear a hat and sunglasses
• Other risks to be mindful of during this spell of hot weather are heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Minister Butler is particularly urging those who are caring for someone to be vigilant, “if you are caring for someone, they may not have a sense of how much they are drinking. To help them, make sure they drink during mealtimes and offer food with a high water content.”

Early intervention is essential if someone becomes unwell due to heat exhaustion, heatstroke or dehydration and people are advised to contact their GP or seek medical attention if you become dizzy, disorientated, have not urinated, or have an increased heart rate.