Aruba care homes to receive Heat Management Plan to protect older adults

ORANJESTAD — The government, together with several national and international partners, has officially introduced a Heat Management Plan for care homes aimed at protecting older adults from health risks during periods of extreme heat.

The plan focuses on prevention and timely action, recognizing that older adults are more vulnerable to heat due to age, chronic health conditions and the use of certain medications.

As part of the system, care homes will receive weather stations free of charge to monitor temperature and humidity. The collected data will be shared directly with the Aruba Meteorological Department.

When the heat index reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold for several consecutive days, the Meteorological Department and the Directorate for Older Persons will issue a warning so the Heat Protocol can be activated.

Care staff will also receive information materials to help identify signs of heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke and to respond in time.

The program will initially focus on care homes for older adults, with plans to expand it in the future to other locations and public areas frequently visited by seniors.