We’re about halfway through the summer, and the temperatures are not letting up anytime soon. Extreme weather and temperatures are becoming the new normal, which can cause significant problems for hospice patients in facilities and at home. As we’ve seen on the news this year, heavy rains and soaring temperatures are impacting millions across the United States. People with advanced health conditions who rely on machines to stay alive are some of the most vulnerable when these weather systems hit and knock out power. Not only that, but losing power also shuts off fans, AC units, and refrigerators, which can create a dangerous environment for patients who suffer from conditions that affect their ability to regulate body temperature.

With or without power, making sure a patient stays cool and comfortable during the hot summer months should be a top priority at home or in facilities. We are going to discuss some important considerations to take at home and at facilities to ensure patients stay comfortable in the heat, especially in the event of a power outage or extreme weather event. We’ll also include a checklist of resources so you can be prepared no matter the circumstances.

Home safety for hospice patients in summer heat

We have previously touched on some important safety tips for caregivers when looking after a patient in the home. These included year-round tips for easy communication, physical safety, and comfort measures. There are also specific things you can do during the summer to keep vulnerable patients from overheating or becoming dehydrated. There are also some key things to do in the case of a power outage to keep machines running and patients safe and cool.

Hydration is key

Hydration is incredibly important for all elderly and hospice patients in hot months. Make sure you’re providing them with ample amounts of water and fluids. This will help their bodies regulate temperature more easily. You can also provide foods with high water content, such as watermelon, cucumber, or broth. In the event of a power outage, you can fill a cooler or two with ice so you can keep water and fluids with electrolytes cold until the power comes back. You should avoid opening the refrigerator so that cold air isn’t released and food spoils. Coolers are also a great place to store refrigerated medications as needed. 

It is also important to know some chronic conditions that are exacerbated by heat and make some patients susceptible to overheating. Those conditions include diabetes, heart disease, kidney issues, COPD, and arthritis. If you are caring for a loved one with any of these conditions, make sure you pay extra attention to their hydration and body temperature during hot days. 

Staying cool indoors

Losing power means no AC and no fans, which can heat a home quickly and become dangerous for hospice patients. One thing caregivers can do ahead of time to prepare for power outages is purchase battery-powered fans and plenty of backup batteries. Keeping a steady flow of air in the house can help keep temperatures tolerable. You should also keep shades, blinds, or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day, and open the windows at night if the air is cool enough outside.

Another good idea is, to use the cooler you filled with ice for fluids, to dampen towels or clothing to keep patients cool. Lay the towel on a patient’s forehead or around their neck to assist with regulating their body temperature.

You can also move to cooler areas of the home, such as a basement or other lower level. These tend to be the coolest areas of the home, and can give you some relief during the hottest times of day. Also, keep the home cool by avoiding running stoves or other heat-producing appliances.

Finally, if power goes out in your home and you’re able to move the patient, travel to a cooler location. Many local health agencies have cooling locations, or a local hospice may provide space for inpatient treatment. Depending on the circumstances, a hospice may also be able to suggest another facility. If you are unable to get into one of these locations, reach out to a friend or family member who has power.

Keep track of battery life on support machines

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to summer power outages is keeping life-saving machines working. Some 4.5 million Medicare recipients, and millions more on private insurance, use “electricity-dependent equipment…including electric wheelchairs, hospital beds, ventilators and oxygen concentrators.” Many of these devices are built to run on battery power in the case of a power outage, but many of those batteries have only 4-to-8 hours of life. This is why it is important to, if you’re able, get backup batteries for all of your devices.

It is also important to know everything you can about the devices the patient uses ahead of time. Take detailed notes on the make and model number of any device, how it is powered (electricity or battery), emergency numbers for suppliers or the device manufacturer, and anything caregivers need to know in case the device fails. This will help you collect any supplies ahead of time (batteries, extra oxygen tanks, etc.) and be prepared when issues do arise. 

Another good tip is notifying your electric company and local fire and police departments to let them know you have a medical device that needs power. Electric companies can give your home priority to restore power, and local first responders can deliver supplies and assistance should the power outage be prolonged.

Overall home safety during a power outage

If a caregiver is taking care of a patient in their home or the patient’s home, they have probably already installed safety precautions throughout the house. This includes non-slip mats, proper lighting, safety bars in bathrooms, hallways, and stairways, and functioning, battery-powered smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Caregivers should also look at other safety measures such as battery-powered flashlights, lanterns, and radios, backup charging banks, and emergency kits.

Battery-powered flashlights and lanterns will help caregivers and patients stay safe when moving through the home at night. It will also assist with administering medications, meals, and fluids to the patient. Small tap lights can also be useful to place in strategic spots around the home, such as hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms, for easier navigation. Battery-powered radios can help keep track of developing storms or emergency notifications.

Keeping multiple charging banks fully powered can be a big assist with communication. If you’re able, acquire at least two charging banks that are kept at full charge so you can keep cellphones and other chargeable devices powered up. This will help with contacting friends, family, neighbors, first responders, or hospice teams throughout the outage.

Finally, creating a well-stocked emergency kit can be a literal lifesaver in the event of a power outage. There are some websites and stores that sell kits already fully stocked with first aid supplies, basic medications, and more. You should also add extra batteries (of multiple sizes), non-perishable food, a manual can opener, and extra sets of clothing. Be sure to check your emergency kit periodically to replace expired or damaged items. 

Summer heat safety checklist

You can’t always predict when the next power outage will hit, but you can always be prepared for when it does. Below are a couple of checklists you can keep on hand, not only in case the power goes out, but also when the heat starts rising. Making sure you have all the supplies you need and the knowledge on how to keep patients safe can be a tremendous help in an emergency.

Keeping patients cool

  • Drink plenty of water and fluids high in electrolytes
  • Offer water-rich foods such as watermelons, cucumbers, or broth
  • Buy ice and fill a cooler to keep water, fluids, and medications cold during the outage
  • Dampen towels or clothing in cold water to drape on the patient to keep the body temperature low
  • Have battery-powered fans on hand to create air flow
  • Block windows with curtains, blinds, or drapes during the hottest part of the day, and, if the air is cooler outside, open windows at night to create a breeze
  • Sleep in cooler areas of the house, particularly on lower levels
  • Purchase and keep charged backup battery packs for cellphones to keep up to date on warnings and emergency alerts
  • Seek cooling stations or air-conditioned areas if the patient can be moved

Preparing in case of a power outage

Below is a checklist that includes information from the FDA lists – “FDA Offers Tips about Medical Devices and Natural Disasters” and “Home Healthcare Medical Devices: A Checklist” to help you prepare in case of a power outage. You can also consult this checklist on the ADA National Network page.

  • Make sure your emergency kit is up to date and fully stocked
    • Items to include:
      • Gallon jugs or several cases of bottled water to drink
      • First aid kit
      • Battery-powered fans, flashlights, lanterns, and radio
      • Extra batteries
      • Non-perishable food items and a manual can opener

General Safety

  • Keep your device and supplies clean and dry.
  • If you depend on your device to keep you alive, seek emergency services immediately. If possible, notify your local Public Health Authority to request evacuation before adverse weather events.
  • Always use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns rather than gas lights or torches when oxygen is in use (to minimize the risk of fire).
  • If your device appears to be damaged or if you need a backup device, contact your distributor or device manufacturer.
  • Check all power cords and batteries to make sure they are not wet or damaged by water. If electrical circuits and electrical equipment have gotten wet, turn off the power at the main breaker.
  • Maintain your device only in a well-lit area so you can assess your device’s performance (e.g., refilling your insulin pump, checking your glucose meter).
  • Keep your device in as clean and secure location as possible: off the ground, away from animals or crowded areas.
  • Always check your device for pests before you use it (e.g., syringes, mechanical devices)

Power Outage

  • Notify your electric company and fire department to let them know you have a medical device that needs power (e.g., ventilator, apnea monitor).
  • Read your user instructions or call your distributor or device manufacturer to find out if your device can be used with batteries or a generator.
  • Locate a generator if possible.
  • Make sure you check for water before plugging in your device. Do not plug in a power cord if the cord or the device is wet.
  • When the power is restored, check to make sure the settings on your medical device have not changed (often medical devices reset to a default mode when power is interrupted)

Medical Devices

  • Make sure you know what to do if your device fails.
  • Have emergency phone numbers for suppliers, homecare agencies, doctors, and manufacturers.
    • Be sure that you have the after-hours phone numbers.
  • If appropriate, keep extra batteries for your device.
    • Know how to replace them.
  • Check to see if there are new conditions that may change the way you or your caregiver use the device.
    • Are there changes in vision, hearing, ability to move?
    • Have you had an illness, new medicines, or loss of feeling?
  • Read your instructions for taking care of your device and follow them for:
    • cleaning
    • replacing batteries, filters
    • protecting your device (e.g. keep food and drinks away from your device).
  • Can you safely take your device from home to school, work, church, and vacation spots?
    • Check ahead to see if these other places are suited for your device.

Dealing with Heat and Humidity

  • Use a dry cloth to wipe off your device regularly (e.g., mechanical infusion pumps).
  • Keep your device out of direct sunlight.
  • Enclose your medical products in plastic containers to keep them dry (e.g., wound care supplies).
  • Do not use ice if there is a danger of water contamination; use dry ice or instant cold packs to keep your device cool (e.g., prefilled syringes).
  • Do not use disposable devices that are wet (e.g., wound dressings, disposable thermometers, tubing)