• Admin
• October 24, 2026
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When you live abroad, checking on your parents back home can become part of your daily routine.

You call. You ask how they’re doing. They say, “We’re fine.” You talk for a few minutes, say your goodbyes and get back to your day.

But when the weather becomes unusually hot, that answer may not tell you everything you need to know.

Your parents might be managing the heat as best they can without mentioning how uncomfortable their home feels, how difficult it is to sleep at night or whether they have enough water and other essentials.

Older adults and people with certain health conditions can be more vulnerable to extreme heat. That is why checking in means more than asking whether everything is okay.

If you live abroad and your parents are in Nigeria, here are seven practical questions you can ask to understand how they are coping and what support they might need.

1. “How are you sleeping at night?”

Hot weather can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, especially when a room remains warm after sunset.

Ask whether your parents are sleeping comfortably or waking up several times because of the heat. Find out whether their bedroom gets too hot and whether they feel rested in the morning.

What you can do: If they are struggling to sleep, help them think through simple ways to make the room more comfortable. They could use lighter bedding, wear loose-fitting clothes and open windows when the outdoor air is cooler than the air inside. During the day, curtains or blinds can help block direct sunlight.

If their room remains uncomfortable, help them identify a cooler part of the house where they can spend time during the hottest hours.

If your parents keep telling you that their room feels unbearably hot, our guide, Your Room Feels Like an Oven? Practical Ways to Make It More Comfortable, explores more ways to make indoor spaces comfortable during hot weather.

2. “Do you have enough water, and are you drinking regularly?”

It is easy to forget to drink enough water throughout the day, particularly when someone is busy with household tasks or does not feel thirsty.

Ask whether your parents have reliable access to drinking water and whether they are drinking regularly. If their water supply is unreliable, find out whether they have enough water stored safely.

What you can do: Help them plan how to keep drinking water available throughout the day. If a doctor has advised either parent to limit fluids because of a medical condition, they should follow that advice and ask their healthcare professional what to do during hot weather.

You can also ask whether they have enough groceries and other household essentials to avoid unnecessary trips outside during the hottest part of the day.

We’ll cover more of the practical steps households can take in Preparing Your Family for Hot Weather: Electricity, Groceries and Other Household Essentials.

3. “Have you been feeling dizzy, unusually weak or unwell?”

Sometimes, a person may dismiss the early signs of heat-related illness as ordinary tiredness.

Ask whether your parents have experienced headaches, dizziness, nausea, unusual weakness or muscle cramps. Also ask whether any existing health condition has been more difficult to manage.

Heat can worsen some health conditions, and older adults may be more vulnerable to heat-related illness.

What you can do: Encourage them to rest in a cooler place and seek medical advice if they feel unwell. Do not assume that symptoms are simply caused by the weather.

Confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness during extreme heat are emergencies. Arrange urgent medical help rather than relying on a phone call or home remedies.

For a closer look at the warning signs and when to seek help, read When the Heat Becomes Too Much: How to Protect Yourself and Your Family.

4. “Is the house getting too hot, especially in the afternoon?”

The weather outside is only part of the picture. The design of a home, direct sunlight, ventilation and heat retained by walls and roofing can all affect how comfortable it feels indoors.

Ask your parents which rooms become hottest and whether the house remains uncomfortable in the evening. If they live alone, find out whether they have somewhere cooler to spend time when the heat becomes difficult to manage.

What you can do: Help them identify the coolest room in the house. During the day, closing curtains or blinds over sun-facing windows can reduce heat entering the room. When the outside air becomes cooler than the indoor air, opening windows can help ventilate the home.

Fans can also help in suitable conditions, but they may not be enough during extreme heat. Pay attention to how your parents feel and help them find a cooler environment when necessary.

For the wider picture, you can read El Niño 2026–2027: What Nigerians at Home and Abroad Need to Know to understand the climate outlook and practical ways to prepare.

5. “Is the electricity situation making things harder?”

During hot weather, electricity can be especially important for keeping your parents comfortable and managing everyday household needs. They may rely on fans, refrigerators or other electrical appliances to get through the day.

Ask whether they have enough electricity credit, whether their supply is reliable and whether they need help paying their electricity bills.

What you can do: Help your parents stay on top of their electricity bills, even when you’re living abroad. Planettalk offers electricity bill payment options for eligible providers through its website and app.

You can also ask which appliances they depend on most and help them plan for periods when electricity is unavailable. If they use medication that needs refrigeration or rely on powered medical equipment, help them discuss a safe backup plan with an appropriate healthcare professional.

6. “Do you have enough food and other essentials at home?”

When the weather is uncomfortable, even an ordinary trip to the market can feel more tiring. Parents may also be less willing to go out if they are feeling weak or if the heat is particularly intense.

Ask whether they have enough food, drinking water and everyday household supplies for the next few days. Find out whether there is anything they need but have been putting off buying.

What you can do: Help them plan ahead rather than waiting until something runs out. Depending on what is available in their area, this could mean buying groceries for them, asking a trusted relative to help with shopping or organising a visit from someone nearby.

You can buy groceries for family back home through the Planettalk website from anywhere in the world. Participating supermarkets and grocery stores may include SPAR, Justrite, Market Square, Grand Square, Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Jendol Superstores, Hypercity Supermarket, Grocery Bazaar, Olmart Store and many more. Check the website for the retailers and grocery options available for your family’s location.

You can also explore available grocery options through the Planettalk app in its available markets.

This is one way to help your parents get the essentials they need without having to manage every shopping trip themselves.

7. “Who can help you nearby if you need something urgently?”

This may be the most important question of all.

You can call, buy groceries or pay household bills from abroad, but you cannot always reach your parents quickly if something happens.

Ask whether they have a trusted neighbour, relative, friend or nearby community member they can contact if they feel unwell or need urgent assistance.

What you can do: With your parents’ agreement, keep the contact details of someone nearby who can check on them. Make sure your parents know how to reach that person, and agree on what to do if they cannot be reached during an emergency.

If your parents live alone or have health conditions that increase their risk, regular check-ins are especially important.

How to Keep Checking In and Support Your Parents From Abroad

There is no single schedule that works for every family. How often you check in should depend on your parents’ health, whether they live alone, how they are coping and whether local weather warnings have been issued.

You could agree on a simple routine:

• Start with a proper conversation. Ask the seven questions above and find out what support they actually need.
• Agree on regular check-ins. Choose a time that works for both of you, and increase contact if the weather becomes more severe or they feel unwell.
• Have a backup contact. Make sure someone nearby can help if your parents need assistance and you cannot reach them.
• Follow reliable updates. Keep an eye on official weather and health guidance rather than relying on social media rumours.

Most importantly, listen to what your parents tell you. They may not need help with everything, and they may prefer to handle some things themselves. The point is to understand their situation and offer support where it is useful.

Living in another country does not mean you have to wait until something goes wrong before helping your family prepare.

A thoughtful conversation can reveal small problems before they become more difficult to manage. You may discover that your parents need groceries, help with an electricity or water bill, a plan for getting to a cooler place or simply someone to check on them more often.

You can also help your family prepare in more practical ways. Our guide, El Niño 2026–2027: What Nigerians at Home and Abroad Need to Know, explains the wider climate outlook and what households can do to prepare for hot weather.

PlanetTalk also gives you ways to take care of everyday needs from abroad. Depending on availability, you can pay eligible electricity and water bills, purchase airtime and data, explore digital gift vouchers, make international calls to supported destinations and buy groceries for family back home.

The Planettalk website is accessible worldwide, while the Planettalk app is available in the UK, USA, Canada, France and Ireland.

Read our Complete Guide to Supporting Family Back Home with Planettalk to explore the available options.

You may not be able to control the weather from abroad. But you can ask better questions, plan ahead and help your parents feel less alone when conditions become difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I check on my parents during extreme heat?

Older adults and people with certain health conditions can be more vulnerable to heat-related illness. Checking in regularly helps you find out whether your parents are sleeping comfortably, drinking enough water, feeling unwell or struggling to access everyday essentials. It also gives you an opportunity to arrange help before a problem becomes more difficult to manage.

What questions should I ask my parents during a heatwave?

Ask whether they are sleeping well, drinking enough water, feeling dizzy or unusually weak, coping with the temperature inside their home, managing their electricity supply and keeping enough food and essentials at home. You should also ask who can help them nearby if they need urgent assistance.

What are the warning signs of heat-related illness in older adults?

Warning signs can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, unusual weakness and muscle cramps. Confusion, seizures or loss of consciousness during extreme heat require urgent medical attention. If you suspect a medical emergency, arrange immediate local help rather than relying on a phone call.

How can I help my parents stay cool if I live abroad?

Start by asking how they are coping and what they need. You can help them identify a cooler room, plan access to drinking water and groceries, arrange support from someone nearby and discuss a backup plan for periods without electricity. If they feel unwell, help them access appropriate medical care.

What should I do if my parents keep saying they are fine?

Ask specific, practical questions instead of repeatedly asking whether everything is okay. Find out whether they slept well, have enough water, feel unusually tired or need anything at home. Listen to their answers without making them feel that you do not trust them, and offer help based on what they tell you.

What should I do if I cannot reach my parents during extreme weather?

Try contacting them again and reach out to a trusted neighbour, relative or friend who lives nearby. If you have reason to believe they may be in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or someone who can check on them in person.

Can I pay my parents’ electricity and water bills from abroad?

Yes. Planettalk offers electricity and water bill payment options for eligible providers through its website and app. Availability depends on the provider and your family’s location, so check the options before paying.

Can I buy groceries for my family in Nigeria while living abroad?

Yes. You can buy groceries for family in Nigeria through the globally accessible Planettalk website. Participating retailers may include SPAR, Justrite, Market Square, Grand Square, Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Jendol Superstores, Hypercity Supermarket, Grocery Bazaar, Olmart Stores and many more. Check the website for the grocery options available for your family’s location.

Can I support my parents from abroad if I cannot visit them during extreme heat?

Yes. You can keep in regular contact, buy groceries and essential household items for them, pay eligible electricity or water bills remotely and organise a trusted person nearby who can check on them if needed. These steps can help you stay involved, although urgent medical concerns still require local assistance.

Sources

• World Health Organization: Heat and health
• World Health Organization: Keep cool in the heat