Summer Elderly Care: Why It’s Essential – And How Manaaki Brings It Home in Hertfordshire
Need care support over the summer holidays?
Summer is a time most of us look forward to — longer days, blossoming gardens, and gentle warmth in the air. But for elderly individuals, the season can bring a complex mix of risk and reward. From rising temperatures and dehydration risks to increased social isolation as family routines change, summer care for older adults is a critical investment in safety, comfort, and well-being.
If you live in or near Hertford, Welwyn, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Ware, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, Cuffley, Cheshunt, or the surrounding areas, this is especially relevant. As a local home care provider rooted in the values of Manaaki, we understand what it means to protect, uplift, and genuinely care for elderly people in our community – especially when summer adds a new layer of complexity to their daily lives.
Even if you’re short on time due to work, childcare, or travel, summer doesn’t have to be a time of worry. With the right support, you can ensure your loved ones are safe, stimulated, and well looked after.
Summer and the Elderly: What Are the Risks?
Older people are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses due to reduced ability to regulate body temperature and a higher risk of dehydration. Many also take medications that affect how their body handles the sun or heat.
In places like Hatfield or Hoddesdon, where some homes may not have modern insulation or air conditioning, staying cool becomes even more essential. A summer care plan that includes home visits, hydration checks, and light housekeeping can be a life-saver — quite literally.
At the same time, summer can also bring disruption to family routines. With school holidays, travel plans, or longer working hours, many family carers find themselves stretched thin. That’s where professional, compassionate homecare really matters — and that’s where Manaaki’s values shine.
What is Manaaki? The Heart of Our Care
“Manaaki” is a Māori term that means to cherish, support, and respect. It’s a philosophy that underpins everything we do. At Manaaki, care isn’t just about completing tasks. It’s about building relationships, recognising the unique value of each individual, and treating clients like extended family.
Our approach focuses on the whole person: their history, preferences, routines, and relationships. We don’t just pop in and out. We connect, listen, and honour the lives our clients have built — in Ware, Cheshunt, Broxbourne, or Cuffley — and we support them to continue living those lives in the most dignified and fulfilling way possible.
How Summer Homecare Helps in Hertfordshire
Whether your loved one lives in Welwyn Garden City, Broxbourne, or Cheshunt, here’s how a thoughtful summer care plan can dramatically improve their quality of life.
1. Hydration and Nutrition Support
Hotter days can lead to reduced appetite and increased risk of dehydration — especially if your loved one forgets to drink water or struggles with preparing meals. A home carer can:
Encourage and monitor fluid intake
Prepare light, seasonal meals
Offer refreshing snacks and drinks throughout the day
This isn’t just healthy — it’s comforting. Imagine your loved one enjoying a cool fruit salad or herbal iced tea on a shaded patio in Welwyn, lovingly prepared by someone who knows their tastes.
2. Safe Outdoor Enjoyment
Summer shouldn’t be spent indoors in isolation. With support, older adults can safely enjoy:
Garden walks in Ware
Trips to local parks in Hatfield
Visits to markets or local cafés in Hertford town centre
Our carers plan these activities with care — choosing cooler times of day, ensuring sunscreen and hydration are in place, and providing mobility support as needed.
3. Medication Monitoring
Many medications interact with heat or sunlight. We ensure proper timing, correct dosages, and awareness of any side effects during warm weather, giving families peace of mind even when they can’t be there.
4. Social Companionship
Summer holidays can leave elderly individuals more isolated if family are travelling or otherwise occupied. Our carers provide meaningful companionship — chatting, playing games, reading together, or simply sharing a cup of tea. That friendly presence can lift moods and stave off loneliness.
5. Emergency Awareness
From spotting early signs of heatstroke to ensuring a cool living environment, our trained carers are your eyes and ears. For clients living alone in Cuffley or Hoddesdon, this kind of proactive care can prevent hospital admissions or emergency situations.
Real-Life Story: Elsie in Cheshunt
Elsie, 88, lives alone in Cheshunt. Her daughter, who lives in Welwyn Garden City, used to visit every other day. But during the summer holidays, between juggling childcare and work, visits became difficult.
Elsie started skipping meals, became confused from dehydration, and was avoiding going outside due to the heat.
Manaaki stepped in with daily morning and evening visits. Our carer, Helen, not only prepared meals and kept her hydrated but also encouraged gentle walks in the garden and even set up video calls with Elsie’s granddaughter.
Now, Elsie says she feels more alive than she has in years. “Helen doesn’t just care for me,” she says. “She sees me.”
How Local Knowledge Makes a Difference
Our carers don’t just know care – they know Hertfordshire. That local insight means:
We understand where to take clients for fresh air and gentle walks, whether that’s a quiet corner of Hartham Common in Hertford or Cedars Park in Waltham Cross.
We know the best cool spots to suggest a café break in Welwyn or Hatfield.
We can quickly source support services if needs change, thanks to our community networks across Broxbourne, Ware, and beyond.
This local approach allows us to tailor summer care in a way that feels familiar, comfortable, and trustworthy.
Supporting Families: Even When You’re Away
You might be travelling over the summer. Or you may just need time to work or rest. Manaaki provides respite care and flexible scheduling, ensuring you can step back without stepping away entirely.
Our team keeps you informed, works around your needs, and ensures you can enjoy your summer too — knowing that your loved one is in safe hands in Cheshunt, Cuffley, or wherever home may be.
Tips for Summer Elderly Care at Home
Here are some simple steps any family can take — and which we help implement through our homecare services:
Keep curtains closed during the hottest part of the day to keep rooms cooler.
Encourage drinking small amounts of fluid regularly, not just when thirsty.
Dress in light, breathable clothing and use fans or cool damp cloths.
Plan activities earlier in the day before temperatures peak.
Check medications for sun or heat sensitivity with the GP or pharmacist.
When combined with our carers' attentive presence, these small steps become powerful tools for well-being.
Final Thought: Summer Shouldn’t Be Survived — It Should Be Enjoyed
At Manaaki, we believe that ageing doesn’t mean the end of pleasure or independence — especially not in summer. With the right support, our elderly clients in Hertford, Ware, Welwyn Garden City, and beyond can enjoy everything this season has to offer — safely and joyfully.
Whether it’s a garden chat in Broxbourne, a walk in Cuffley, or just a cool, peaceful afternoon indoors with a carer who genuinely listens, we’re here to bring peace of mind to you and your family.
We provide compassionate, tailored homecare across Hertfordshire, including:
Hertford
Welwyn / Welwyn Garden City
Hatfield
Ware
Hoddesdon
Broxbourne
Cuffley
Cheshunt
… and surrounding areas.
Ready to arrange care or have questions?
Reach out to Manaaki today. Let’s make this summer one to remember — for all the right reasons.