Alerts to keep elderly vigilant over sun exposure

Homes for the elderly and local councils were being alerted whenever a heatwave was expected to hit the islands, the Parliamentary Secretary for Community Care, Mario Galea said.

Days after Saturday was declared the hottest July day in 21 years, when the mercury hit 41.6°C, the authorities urged people, especially the elderly, to be vigilant and avoid sun exposure in the afternoon hours.

A staggering €600,000 were spent this year to install and maintain air conditioners and chillers in homes for the elderly in preparation for the hot summer months. Another €55,000 went into equipping the five wards in Karin Grech Hospital, which has been converted into a home for 155 elderly people, with air conditioners, Mr Galea said yesterday.

He said a special heatwave committee was set up last year and had been keeping tabs on all air conditions in homes for the elderly, apart from making recommendations about ways to ease the effects of the heat.

Menus are also changed in the hottest days, focusing mainly on fruit and vegetables, which, apart from being fresh, are full of liquid and can help avoid dehydration.

Mr Galea said the elderly should carry a wet towel so they could cool themselves down.