Protecting older adults

A daily routine for caregivers, covering clean sleep, safe movement, medicines and appointments, so older family members stay well through the pollution season.

Not a substitute for medical adviceThis page summarises public-health guidance. Follow the advice of the doctor who knows the person's history. Emergency: 112.

Older adults are more likely to have heart disease, lung disease or diabetes, and have less physical reserve to cope with the extra strain pollution puts on the body. Pollution spikes are linked to more heart attacks, strokes and breathing problems in this age group within days.

The priorities

Their bedroom is the clean room. Size the purifier for that room (6 air changes per hour is a good target), close the door at night, and check it with a monitor at the speed used for sleep. See make one clean room.
Keep them moving, indoors. Weeks of sitting through winter weaken muscles and balance. Plan short sessions of walking, chair exercises and stretching in a filtered room several times a day.
Keep medical care on track. Don’t skip appointments or let medicines run out because of the weather. Arrange door-to-door transport instead.
Have a plan for bad days agreed with their doctor if they have a heart or lung condition. See heart and lung conditions.
Know the warning signs. See when to get urgent help.

Daily checklist for caregivers

Interactive · resets daily

Older adult: daily checklist

Checked the nearest station’s AQI and its timestamp before planning any outing.
Bedroom purifier running at an effective speed; door kept closed; indoor PM2.5 reviewed.
No incense, coils, smoking or charcoal heating indoors today; exhaust used while cooking.
Short sessions of indoor movement done (walking, chair exercises, stretching).
Medicines taken; inhalers and prescriptions stocked for at least a week.
Any trip planned door-to-door, with a fitted respirator if suitable and the doctor agrees.
Checked how they feel: breathing, chest, energy, confusion. Know when to call 112.

0 of 7 done today.

Masks for older adults

A certified respirator helps on necessary trips if it’s comfortable and seals. Help with fitting if hands or eyesight make it hard, choose head straps with a soft nose foam, and keep wear periods short. If they have heart or lung disease, check with their doctor first. Remove it if they feel dizzy or breathless. See the mask chooser.

Signs pollution is affecting them

More coughing, breathlessness or wheezing than usual
Needing reliever inhalers more often
Unusual tiredness, confusion or reduced appetite
Swelling of the ankles or breathlessness lying flat (in heart failure)
Chest discomfort or palpitations

Contact their doctor for worsening symptoms. Call 112 for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, sudden confusion, or signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty).

Living alone?

Arrange a daily check-in call during severe spells.
Make sure they have enough medicine for at least a week, and a working phone.
Set up grocery and pharmacy delivery so they don’t need to go out on the worst days.