The social enterprise is also considering using cool paint for its building façades, which is capable of lowering the temperature inside by two degrees Celsius.
While the heat-reflective coat is more expensive than normal paint, the social enterprise said the benefits outweigh the cost.
“We are exploring more long-term and sustainable solutions,” said NTUC Health’s head of clinical services and residential care Goh Siew Hor.
“Both the cool paint and thermal film can potentially help to lower ambient temperature around the building and thus reduce the load on our air conditioners and also improve the thermal comfort for those in the building.”
EFFORTS TO KEEP COOL
Homes that are unable to make big changes to their infrastructure said they are making do with existing measures such as additional standing fans and cooling pads.
Nurses are also taking extra measures to monitor room temperatures and residents’ vital signs, with a lookout for heat-related conditions including giddiness, nausea, fatigue or rashes.
At the Thye Hua Kwan Nursing Home, its sensory room for residents with dementia is also being used as a makeshift heat shelter. It is one of the few rooms in the home with air-conditioning.