As temperatures rise, Miele Professional outlines how care homes can protect residents while keeping kitchens, laundries and other operational areas running safely during periods of extreme heat.
Heatwaves pose a dual challenge for care homes. Alongside protecting vulnerable residents from the physical effects of extreme temperatures, providers must also ensure that kitchens, laundries and other operational areas continue to function safely and effectively. The most successful heatwave plans take a whole-home approach, balancing resident wellbeing with robust operational controls, rather than treating the two as separate concerns. As UK summers bring more frequent spells of extreme heat, having a clear, tested plan in place before temperatures rise is becoming as important as any winter contingency planning.
Creating cool, comfortable spaces
Identifying cooler communal areas where residents can socialise, rather than remaining isolated in bedrooms, should be a first step in any heatwave plan. Blinds, curtains, shading and appropriate ventilation all help reduce indoor temperatures, and room temperatures should be monitored closely, with vulnerable residents relocated if their rooms become excessively warm. Simple environmental checks, carried out at the same times each day, can help staff spot rooms that are heating up before they become uncomfortable or unsafe.
Making hydration a social activity
Older people may not always recognise thirst, making proactive hydration essential rather than something residents are left to manage themselves. Drinks should be offered regularly throughout the day, with a variety of appealing options, such as fruit-infused water, smoothies, milkshakes, and ice lollies, where appropriate. Hydration stations, combined with encouraging residents to drink together during activities, can help turn hydration into a genuinely social occasion rather than a clinical task, making it more likely that residents will drink consistently throughout the day rather than only when reminded.
Adapting activities
Maintaining routine and social interaction remains important during hot weather, even if the format needs to change. Scheduling activities during cooler morning or evening periods, replacing strenuous exercise with seated sessions such as craft and music, and offering access to shaded outdoor areas when conditions allow, all help residents stay engaged without unnecessary risk. Cancelling activities altogether during hot spells can leave residents isolated for extended periods, so adapting rather than removing them should be the default approach.
Reviewing menus for the season
Lighter meals and cold protein options suit hot weather better than heavier, traditional dishes, and high-water-content foods such as watermelon, berries and cucumber can support hydration alongside drinks. For residents with reduced appetites during hot spells, smaller, more frequent meals may also be worth considering, helping maintain adequate nutrition without overwhelming them with larger portions in warmer conditions.
Increasing individual monitoring
Residents living with dementia, cardiovascular disease, respiratory conditions or reduced mobility may be particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. Increased wellbeing checks, closer monitoring of hydration, behaviour and alertness, and care plans updated to reflect individual heat-related risks and preferences should all form part of a home’s response. Where possible, these adjustments should be agreed in advance of warmer months, so staff are working from an established plan rather than reacting once temperatures have already climbed.
Protecting comfort and dignity
Practical measures matter here too. Lightweight, breathable clothing, cool towels, and washing facilities all improve comfort, while linen and clothing changes may need to be increased for residents who perspire more heavily. Lightweight bedding and lower-tog duvets can also support better sleep quality during warmer nights, helping residents avoid disrupted sleep and increased confusion that heat and poor rest can sometimes bring.
Increasing cleaning and sanitation
Operationally, higher temperatures and humidity accelerate bacterial and mould growth, so cleaning frequencies in kitchens and laundry areas should increase accordingly. Particular attention should be paid to food preparation surfaces, equipment, storage areas and high-touch points, with laundry sorting areas and equipment exteriors cleaned more frequently during periods of increased throughput.
Monitoring critical equipment
Heatwaves place additional strain on the equipment responsible for food safety and hygiene. Checks of refrigeration systems, dishwashers, washing machines and dryers should increase, with fridge, freezer and dishwasher temperatures monitored more closely and faults addressed quickly before they affect service delivery. Equipment that is already working harder to cope with ambient heat is more likely to develop faults, so early identification is key to avoiding disruption.
Controlling moisture build-up
Moisture creates ideal conditions for bacterial and mould growth, so simple measures make a difference: leaving washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher doors open when not in use, cleaning rubber door seals regularly, and increasing the frequency of cleaning of lint filters, detergent drawers, wash chambers, and drainage areas.
Verifying cleaning performance
Detergent and chemical dosing systems should be checked regularly to ensure correct dosing levels are being delivered for effective cleaning and disinfection, with records maintained as part of wider infection prevention procedures. This is particularly important during periods when equipment is running more frequently, as higher throughput can place additional demands on dosing systems.
Improving ventilation and reducing heat
Extraction and ventilation systems should be verified to be operating effectively, and, where practical, intensive laundry processes should be scheduled during cooler parts of the day to minimise heat transfer from laundry areas into resident spaces. This not only protects residents in nearby areas but also improves working conditions for staff.
Maintaining linen availability
Heatwaves often increase demand for clean bedding and clothing. Homes should hold sufficient linen stocks, prioritise laundry turnaround for residents most affected by heat, and ensure prompt replacement of damp bedding and clothing to support skin integrity and comfort.
Supporting staff wellbeing
Kitchen and laundry teams often work in the hottest parts of the home, and their welfare deserves equal attention. Easy access to drinking water, encouragement to hydrate regularly, additional cooling breaks where possible, and staff welfare measures built into heatwave risk assessments all help protect the people delivering care, not just those receiving it. A team that is well supported through hot weather is better placed to maintain the high standards residents rely on.
A well-planned heatwave response goes far beyond keeping residents cool. By combining personalised resident support with enhanced hygiene, equipment monitoring, preventative maintenance, and staff wellbeing measures, care homes can protect health, maintain service continuity, and ensure residents remain safe, comfortable, and engaged throughout periods of extreme heat.
