Elderly severely impacted by summer heat

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NEW ORLEANS - by Judith Martin - Counties and cities are justifiably posting heat wave warnings this summer.  Newspapers highlight the urgent needs of the elderly now, as many stark reminders tell us that seniors are severely impacted by this summer heat.  Historically, for example, from the Atlantic Coast of North America, to the cities and towns around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, extreme heat is accompanied by an increase in deaths among the elderly, attributable to suffocation from the heat inside poorly-ventilated houses or apartments or those without air conditioning.

In the New Orleans newspaper, The Times-Picayune, recent weather report stories tell of situations such as that of the elderly woman who ran her single, very small air conditioner day and night, and in one month ran up a $400.00 electric bill. It has to be wondered what choices she had to make, whether to pay for the air conditioning or to put some kind of modest or inexpensive meal on the table.

Medscape tells us how the elderly especially suffer from the heat. Researchers found during an evaluation of the impact of heat on the elderly in European cities that during heat waves there was a significant increase in total daily mortality, especially in elderly women, mostly from respiratory causes.

What can be done to alert the public to the plights of the elderly?

I have learned from social action groups and volunteer activities that numerous things can be done by communities to focus public
attention on the effects of the heat wave on their most vulnerable citizens.

It is particularly important now with climate change, and hot conditions that seem to increase, especially here in the South.  But it isn’t just the South that suffers any more.  The east coast and mid-sections of the country have also suffered this year.

Advertising campaigns must be started to encourage families, churches, social welfare agencies, and neighbors to check in daily on the
well-being of the elderly.   Charities will distribute from time to time floor fans to  people in need of some kind of way to get cool, even if it is only by opening the windows and doors of their houses,and sitting in front of such fans and having the air blow directly on them.

Some evidence of being on some kind of assistance is required, of course.  Churches and "senior activity camps" can open "cooling centers", temporary, day-time shelters where there is air conditioning for people to sit in during the most brutally hot parts of the day.  Already public places do.  But transportation can be an issue for elderly citizens, and this must be considered in any programs designed to help.

Can volunteers pick them up and bring them home? What else will be provided, such as water or cots or even snacks? What happens when they
return to their places of residence, and it is just as sweltering in there now that the sun is going down as it was when the sun was still high in the sky?

 The simplest and most easily effective way to find out what is happening with Grandma and Grandpa at the peak of the summer heat is to pay them a visit. Bring them a supply of bottled water and nutritious snacks. Put in a fan or a window air conditioner if it is needed. Keep an eye on what is happening with their electric bill.

Most important, and this is what many people forget, is to take the time to go out to visit them. A visit will mean more to them than
anything else. It lets them know that you care, along with those essentials needed during these very hot days.