Case study: Helping the elderly manage heat impacts at home

Health Community Darling Downs South West South East Queensland (West) South East Queensland (South) South East Queensland (North) Fraser Coast and Gympie Bundaberg–Burnett Central Queensland Mackay Isaac Whitsundays North Queensland North West Queensland Far North Queensland

The Queensland Government continues to work with industry partners to take climate action.

Working alongside UnitingCare Queensland, Griffith University and BlueCare, the co-funded Heatwave Outreach Project* is helping protect the elderly from heat-related illnesses.

Heatwave intensity, duration and frequency in Queensland is set to increase because of climate change.

This is a major concern for human health and wellbeing, particularly for the elderly who are at a higher risk of heat-related illnesses.

BlueCare (UnitingCare Queensland’s Aged Care and Community Services provider) developed short-term solutions to help the elderly manage challenges associated with increases in heatwave intensity, duration and frequency.

Specifically, the project identified key areas for improvement including:

• client vulnerability assessment
• development of a Heat Preparedness and Response Plan
• staff training modules and resources, and a review of existing disaster alert systems.

*Project delivered as part of the Human Health and Wellbeing Climate Adaptation Plan (and associated Sector Adaptation Planning Plus [SAP+] funding program).