Hereford care home prepares to keep residents cool in heat

Craddock said they wanted to try and make sure that residents were kept comfortable, especially those who were bed-ridden.

“We normally try and make sure that they’ve got cooler bedding, making sure that we’ve got fans, making sure that the windows are not too open as the heat sometimes comes in through that anyway,” she explained.

Paddling pools had also been introduced at the home in an effort to keep residents cool.

Craddock said such measures were “vital” in extreme heat, especially if residents didn’t drink enough as they could develop infections or become dehydrated.

“We had had a few paddling pools around the home just to offer if residents want that so they can keep their hands and feet cool as well, mostly they opt for the hands, because they don’t want to put their feet out,” she explained.

One resident, Shirley Tringham, 92, described the paddling pool as “lovely” and said it had helped her to cool down.