When temperatures hit the 30°C mark in the summer months, we get a little uncomfortable. But high temperatures can be deadly for the elderly who, with their small incomes, cannot afford air conditioning units. Organisations in the UK and US are warning people to take precautions and help out elderly citizens this summer.

In 2003, the heat wave in England and Wales killed 2000 people, most of whom were elderly. A Help the Aged Spokeswomen in the UK says that the threat is highest for the elderly because “older people are less able to feel the heat and don’t sweat as much, so their bodies retain heat without them knowing it”. A Heat-Health warning system was set up just after the 2003 disaster to warn people of an impending heat wave so that relief units are able to provide air conditioning and refuge for the frail.