Published 17 August 2026
Homes occupied by older, ill and disabled people across the UK reached unsafe indoor temperatures repeatedly this summer, according to new data from home monitoring technology provider Lilli. The figures, gathered from lifestyle monitoring sensors installed in homes around the country, show that 81 per cent of monitored homes recorded days above the recommended 26 degrees Celsius, with indoor peaks of 40 degrees recorded in London during the heatwave.
The findings, first reported by THIIS, also reveal that around one in ten homes experienced prolonged periods of three days or more above 32 degrees Celsius. Health experts advise keeping indoor temperatures between 21 and 26 degrees where possible, and always below 32 degrees. Above these thresholds the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke rises sharply for older people and anyone with a long-term health condition.
The data matters because many older people spend the vast majority of their time at home, particularly those with reduced mobility. Someone who relies on a walking aid or wheelchair may find it harder to move to a cooler room, open windows on another floor or get out of the house entirely during the hottest part of the day. That makes managing the home environment itself all the more important.
Practical steps can make a real difference. The NHS advises closing curtains on sun-facing windows during the day, using fans when temperatures allow, staying hydrated and checking in regularly on older relatives and neighbours. Simple daily living aids, from easy-grip drinking aids to bedside tables that keep water within reach, can help people stay hydrated without extra trips to the kitchen.
Lilli’s monitoring technology is already used by local authorities, including Gwynedd and Medway councils, to support older people living independently at home. The sensors track patterns such as temperature, movement and daily routines, flagging changes that might indicate a problem before it becomes a crisis. It is part of a wider shift towards preventative care that also includes home adaptations, from bathroom mobility equipment to mobility aids that reduce the risk of falls.
With hot summers becoming more frequent in the UK, overheating is increasingly seen as a year-round housing issue rather than a rare event. For families supporting an older relative at home, it is worth reviewing not just winter heating but summer cooling, ventilation and hydration as part of any home safety check.
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Published 17 August 2026
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