"The caregiver is not sufficiently aware of the risk of using drugs during the heat" –

Seniors who live at home are not properly warned by caregivers of the effects of using medications during the heat period and therefore run a unnecessary risk during hot days. For example, many seniors do not know that many medications have a diuretic effect. This is observed by researchers from the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA) on the basis of their own research.

"The problem is that no one is telling them that," says Rick Kwekkeboom, a lecturer in community care at AUAS. This was evident during a visit of the elderly in Amsterdam-Noord by students from the University of Applied Sciences. "The elderly people we spoke to indicated that they were not aware of the risks and that they were not informed by their carers."

During a period of heat, the attention is mainly focused on health care institutions and professionals. researchers. But in the informal care sector and with local supply chain partners, such as pharmacists, there is still much to be gained, according to Kwekkeboom. "When it's hot, the elderly in the care centers receive special attention, but the problem is not there: the elderly living at home are in danger and it may be that someone who is at home is in danger. one visits them once or twice a week. there is in the medicine cabinet. "

Risk Group

Especially the over 75 years old in urban areas form a group at risk for heat-related health complaints.This is why, for the study, Amsterdam -Noord was chosen, which has a relatively large number of older people living at home. "The research findings are worrisome," says Kwekkeboom. "Although we have talked to seniors in a neighborhood of 39, they have been living in the same neighborhood. Amsterdam, I think that many more older people can have problems, and when it comes to combining the use of drugs and heat, young people are also at risk. "

In Amsterdam North, the AUAS are working on developing a local heating plan, the first in the region.Part of this is an awareness campaign, an initiative of the college and local partners, such as the GGD and the Red Cross Campaign s & # Address to health care providers such as district nursing and home care, but also to pharmacists. Kwekkeboom: "Many older people have a repeated prescription that is delivered once every few months without thinking, and that would be fine if someone looked out and pointed out the dangers in the summer months, and we would hang information in the shops, people "

National Heat Plan

To avoid unnecessary mortality during a period of heat, the National Heating Plan was activated last Monday. Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) calls on people to care for vulnerable people, such as the elderly, chronically ill, overweight people and people living in retirement homes. 39 health care inspection checks additionally in nursing homes and care facilities for people with disabilities if the rules that apply during a heat wave For example, extra precautions are taken to ensure that elderly people receive enough water and that health care facilities provide adequate cooling.