Today and throughout the rest of the week the temperatures will be extremely high, and the Heat Index value is expected to reach 100+, which can be deadly for elderly and vulnerable adults.

The older a person is the less they will sweat which is the body’s way of cooling down.  This can be compounded by medication side effects, illnesses, and other chronic conditions.  The same goes for people who have medical issues.

Sometimes an older adult may not want to turn on their air conditioner because of financial concerns. Other times the senior doesn’t want to “bother” anyone, including family or medical personnel, so they suffer in silence.  I always tell them that the bigger bother will be hospitalization, or worse yet, informing their family of sad news.

If you have an elderly relative or neighbor, take a few minutes to check on them. Even if you do not know your neighbor and you know they are elderly or disabled, what a good opportunity to introduce yourself and see how they are doing. Let them know you care about their well-being, encourage them to stay cool, and if they are not feeling well to call for assistance. 

The Community Center serves as a Cooling Center during these times and is open Monday – Friday 8am to 9pm and Saturday 9am – 9pm.

Karen S. Adcock, Director of Senior Services