Working in someone else's home

I think I'd pop my clogs...never mind pass out. I feel so sorry for you. My sister is housebound. and because she sits all the time she is always chilly, even in this heat. She has a cleaner and she called to say she won't come in until the heatwave has passed. I agreed and explained to my sister that it would be unbearable for her to work in there as she never wants windows or doors opened or a fan . Yes it is better in heat to keep the sun out but the sun isn't at the back of the house so you can get a bit of a through draught. Government are being advised that hospitals, care homes and schools will need money invested for air conditioning because of climate change. Does she have a family member you can contact to explain for future heatwaves? It wouldn't be a huge inconvenience if you said you'd have to come at the end of the week. You have all my sympathy.

I would find a portable thermometer with fairly large numbers to prove the temperature to her. Explain that you cannot work when the temp is above 80 degrees (or whatever is workable for you), and that you must have air moving to stay comfortable.

It is known that elderly people cannot regulate their body temperature, and are in danger of heat stroke themselves, even though they can't feel it.

A bowl of ice set in front of a fan will also bring cool air into a room.

Neck fan! Best thing ever. I love mine 😀

Work wonders!

Search ice towels on amazon... You soak them under the cold tap and wring them out.. drape round your neck or round your waist.. simply wonderful!!

A house should be aired daily, but of course a lot of older people never do so. I suggest you ask her nicely if she would allow you to open a window in the room you are cleaning, keeping the door shut to the rest of the house or flat.

If she refuses to allow this, tell her politely that you are unable to work in a closed room in this heat, so you will go home, and come back once the hot spell is over.

You can purchase neck / shoulder fans like these, my husband swears by his (not this brand but similar)
www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/bladeless-neck-fan-white

I feel for you Biscuitmuncher
I put off doing some work on hot days because doing anything energetic is too much. You’re doing it as a job, so not really an option.

At aquafit, the coach had a neck fan mentioned by a couple of posters. She said it made life in the humidity round the pool bearable.
I have one on order and a fan might help you.
Hope you find a solution before you get ill.

I sometimes wet my hair if it gets too bad. It's not a good look but helps a bit. So does making a conscious effort to move more slowly.

Buy a neck fan

Try closing the curtains/ blinds in rooms before you clean to block the bright sunshine and reduce the heat. Mine are closed on the sunny side of the house.

Rosie51

At least it's forecast to be cooler tomorrow. You might have to tell her you'll be unable to visit any time the temperature rises too high as it's impacting your health.

Yes I agree with this. Explain to her that the really hot weather makes you nearly pass out. Don't struggle on and make yourself ill.
I've done nothing these last two days.
It's going to be a lot cooler next week thank goodness.

Amazon sell neck cooling towels. Work well for gardening, might help.

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It still is May!!
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I used to have the same problem with my father .
As people age they feel cold on a hot day.
The small house was absolutely stifling hot -so bad that I've known my kids retreat into a shady part of the garden where I set up sheets on clothes airers to make a tent and a padding pool.

In the end I said wrap up Dad I really can't clean in this heat with no ventilation .

He had some very unpleasant memories of my having heat stroke .

Don't underestimate the effect of heat on your health.
I had heat stroke last year .
And this year -I'm smothered in itchy heat rashes .

I had the same issue caring for someone. I always sipped on ice water because it was truly unbearable fir me.

Now, they sell fans that look like mini headphones that you wear around your neck and the air blows in your face. I also have a snap-for cold cooling scarf and a cooling hat. You soak them wet and then snap it in the air and it will feel like you are wearung ice for an hour. As it warms, you can snap it again and it will get cold again. A summer necessity.

Next heatwave, I would make some excuse not to go if it’s that unbearable.

At least it's forecast to be cooler tomorrow. You might have to tell her you'll be unable to visit any time the temperature rises too high as it's impacting your health.

Rosie51 thank you. I nearly had to leave today, it was unbearable

PS I meant to suggest you take you own light handheld fan and frozen bottle/s of water

I feel for you, I’m rarely cold and am dying in this heat!

Wet wrung out towel around your neck or a neck fan.

Could you take a little plug in fan with you.

keepingquiet

I would respect her space and leave things as they are. I suffer from hay fever so my windows have been shut since May.

All well and good but if Biscuitmuncher does pass out from the heat that's no good for either of them. Does the lady suffer from hay fever, that might not be the issue.

I would respect her space and leave things as they are. I suffer from hay fever so my windows have been shut since May.