The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Luxembourg Red Cross and COPAS (Federation of Providers of the Aid and Care Sector), has issued a reminder of the implementation of the 2018 heat wave plan.

Firstly, in the event of a heat wave during the summer of 2018, visits by a help and home care service are planned for the elderly, those with reduced autonomy and limited social contacts, in order to provide them with hydration during a heatwave alert.

In order to protect the target population, a letter from the Directorate of Health was sent in the past days to people over 75 years old (except those hosted by a long-stay institution such as the Integrated Centres for the elderly). This letter, in addition to an explanation of the criteria for registration, included a registration form for assistance.

Older persons living alone (or with a disabled person), with limited autonomy and without help from the long-term care insurance are thus invited to send this form before 10 June 2018 to the following address: Luxembourg Red Cross, Social services, B.P. 404, L-2014 Luxembourg.

The persons concerned can also contact the Red Cross telephone exchange at +352 27 55 (Monday to Friday from 8:00- 17:00) or contact the Health Inspectorate of the Health Directorate at +352 247-85650 for additional information.

Recommendations during a heat wave include checking on the elderly or sick people living alone, seeing that they consume enough water (at least 1.5 litres), that they spend several hours a day in cool places or in the shade, close windows - and window shutters exposed to the sun - during the day and make sure that they regularly take refreshing showers or baths.