Staying safe in the sun as a carer

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Staying safe in the sun as a carer

Although it’s great to share the warm summer months with those we support, it’s vital to be mindful about how we spend our time in the hot weather.

**With various COVID-19 lockdown measures in place around the UK, it’s important to adhere to the social distancing rules in place, and to practice excellent hygiene procedures at all times. It’s also important to bear in mind how distancing measures may impact your plans, as some venues and facilities, like toilets, may remain closed.**

In order to stay safe in the heat it’s vital to stay hydrated. There’s no hard and fast rule about the amount of water you should drink, so take a sip whenever you feel thirsty.
Not everybody can rely on their sensations, so be wary of fatigue, poor concentration, dark urine or mood swings, as they can point to dehydration too.

If you’re spending plenty of time outside during summer, be mindful of excessive sun exposure. Plan regular breaks in the day, especially after activities. Always try to seek shade or air-conditioned locations whenever possible too.

To stay as cool as possible in the sun, try to avoid any strenuous physical activity. On top of that, wear loose fitting, lightly coloured clothing, like loose shirts and shorts where possible. Sun hats will also help!

You will also want to consider sun protection if you and your clients plan on spending the day outside. To decide what SPF to choose, know that an SPF 15 lotion would protect you for 15 times longer in the sun than if you had no sunscreen on; an SPF 30 would protect you for 30 times longer and so on.

Lastly, planning ahead in the summer months is key. You don’t want to be caught off guard and under-prepared for the weather. Plan the day’s activities in advance with the person you support, keep an eye on weather updates, and plan accordingly!

It’s important to take care in the heat because excessive sun exposure can cause mood swings, fatigue, and even nausea, among other things. Certain groups will be more vulnerable to the hot weather than others, so it’s very important to pay special attention to:

Older individuals over the age of 75
People with a serious chronic condition, such as heart and breathing conditions
People with mobility issues, such as those who have had a stroke or those with Parkinson’s
Individuals on certain medicine such as temperature and sweat controlling drugs

If you or the person you’re supporting begins to feel unwell, it’s important to call NHS 111 for advice and help immediately.

Are you looking for Health and Social Care roles this summer? Browse our varied selection of roles today and join the ENS team.

Stay safe and enjoy the warm weather responsibly this summer!

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What people are saying about ENS

ENS has been our sole agency provider for the past 8 years. During this time we have worked in partnership to establish an agency service that provides us with the assurance that ENS staff are flexible, highly trained and able to adapt to our working environment across all of our diverse services.
ENS has been able to support our services to a very high standard throughout our geographical locations. Key Performance Indicators often exceed agreed outcomes.
Our relationship with their senior team and operational supervisors is professional and open. We are assured that our long standing working relationship with ENS will continue.
To this end we would not hesitate to recommend ENS as an agency provider to support their organisation.

Director of Human Resources and Training – large Housing and Support charity based in London

We needed to fill two last minute vacancies with high quality teachers. With this brief, Julie from ENS did not disappoint. One candidate was from Canada and Julie ensured that the move over went as smoothly as possible both for the teacher and the school.
What impressed me the most was how Julie listened to exactly what I required and so no time was wasted on my part, sifting through candidates who would not have been good enough for my school. I would highly recommend ENS to another school looking to fill their teacher vacancies.

Darren, Drapers Academy in Harold Hill

My daughter Lynda has enjoyed 24 hour care provided by ENS since July 2013. The care staff are all well trained & briefed as to her complex healthcare regime & are also very sociable. This is very important to Lynda who loves to talk &interact with them. They also manage her household budget, encourage her to participate in domestic tasks within her capabilities, & promote a healthy lifestyle. The administration of ENS is excellent & has ensured that Lynda has a regular rota of carers & that when stand ins are necessary that they have had shadow shifts with her.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the hard work and support you have offered our Foyer and Parent and Child Scheme in managing the placement of temporary staff.
We appreciate the level of consistency and continuity your staff have bought to the schemes and would not hesitate in recommending the services of ENS Recruitment.

Foyer Manager – Large Housing Association based in Southeast England