Very worried - need handhold

[Razzmataxx]

My dad is in his 80s, has dementia and is in a care home. He can hold fairly normal phone conversations and has a dedicated line to his room so people can phone him directly. I phoned tonight and one of the carers answered saying they were calling an ambulance for him! I asked why and they said he had been in the garden today and had suspected heatstroke. He seems to be drinking normally. In the currently climate especially, I'm just worried all round - what I mean is - hospital admissions are a potential worry now as well as anything else on top. This is the first time this has happened. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

What a worry op but he might not need admission. The paramedics will check him out before making a decision about whether he needs to go in.

Oh your poor dad. The staff are supposed to look after people and not let them get heatstroke. He will need to see the doctor but apparently hospitals are quiet and they have non covid areas. Try and ring the hospital to ask how he is. At some stage the home need to explain how this happened.

Thanks dappledsunshine - that's reassuring x

Thats true. He may not need to go to hospital. Call the home for an update and you can ask to speak to the ambulance crew if they are there.

HappyHammy - thanks - this is what I thought - they said he had suncream etc and they're surprised it happened. I'm about to phone for an update.

Suncream doesnt stop heatstroke. You can ask what symptoms he has and how long was he out in the sun and was he supervised. I would also ask if an incident report or similar has been filled out.

Thanks HappyHammy - for those pointers. The good news is I phoned Dad's room just now Dad picked up the phone and sounds well and coherent!

Great news. Have the ambulance crew been to see him. I would still speak to the manager to find out what happened. Hope he feels better now.

I think dehydration can quickly cause confusion in the elderly. Maybe that? (My only experience is with an aging granny who used to be hospitalised for this fairly frequently in her later years.)

HappyHammy - yes - I think the paramedics have arrived. I didn't expect him to answer the phone to be honest it was so good to speak to him.

womanaf - yes - especially in this heat I can see how it's easy to get dehydrated very quickly.

It was the hottest day today even I didnt sit out. The body overheats very quickly.

I would still ask the staff those questions about incident report etc. I am so glad he seems ok!

Thank you Theislands - all your support has been really helpful tonight

Hello all and thanks for your support last night. Just thought I'd update you. I phoned the care home this morning and luckily his temperature is down. They no longer think it''s heatstroke but they are testing for Covid. I personally don't think it's Covid related if his temperature is down, but we'll have to wait and see. He can talk clearly on the phone but his mobility is affected.

HappyHammy - I LOVE hot weather and hate the cold but even I found yesterday a bit much!

I'd be worried that the staff thought sunscreen would protect someone from heatstroke! Hope your DDad continues to improve.

Thats a good update but I hope he doesnt have covid. . I hope he is ok. Its very careless of them if he does have heatstroke. I expect we will have snow and storms next week

bloodywhitecat - yes I was a bit concerned as well.

HappyHammy - I would be very surprised if he had Covid given the fact that his temperature's gone down and he spoke clearly on the phone last night. I love warm weather and sincerely hope we have no storms but I wouldn't be surprised if the weather does an about - turn!! I was troubled when they mentioned heatstroke as well.