In the summer of 2003, France was surprised by an unprecedented heat wave.

This episode causes at the time the death of 19,000 people, mainly elderly.

A drama that the country does not intend to relive this year with the heatwave episode that hits France.

Instructions have been given and the services mobilized: attention to fragile public, instructions transmitted to the managers of establishments for dependent people, Orsec devices to adapt to each territory, it is indicated to the Ministry of Health and Prevention. .

Ehpad nursing homes are also required to have at least one air-conditioned collective space, often the dining room, and use mobile air conditioners.

Color code for water

“Each employee has his role: the maintenance man is instructed to spray the facades morning and evening.

The morning teams know that they must ventilate from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., then close windows and shutters between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ”, assures Florence Arnaiz-Maumé, general delegate of Synerpa, which represents 1,900 lucrative private nursing homes and associations.

“Nursing assistants and carers take care of the water distribution.

With a color code: for example, in the morning the water distributed is red, with a syrup or coloring added;

and in the afternoon it is green.

If you see a jug of red water in the room at 3:00 p.m., the person is not sufficiently hydrated.

"There are also connected glasses to monitor residents' water consumption," she says.

And the kitchens serve "light dishes with enough mineral salts, salads, ice cream, no dishes in sauce that make you hot".

Possible reception of isolated people

Another effective artisanal method, practiced in nursing homes or elsewhere: place ice cubes in a basin in front of a fan or soak the feet in a basin of fresh water.

And “Ehpads can accommodate elderly people who are in danger by staying at home in their refreshed rooms”, indicates Florence Arnaiz-Maumé, from Synerpa.

“We are trying to forge partnerships with home services to accommodate isolated people in Ehpad for a few days, to avoid saturating the emergency services”.

Because of the heat wave, she finds a burglar in her living room

Paris

Paris: This bench cools as soon as the temperature exceeds 25 degrees

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