Delco Officials Give Fans To Seniors Ahead Of Summer Heat

MEDIA, PA – Residents in Delaware County's eight senior centers recently got some fans delivered to help them stay cool through the summer heat thanks to county officials and PECO. The fans were distributed Thursday as county officials announced its 2017 Heat Plan is in place.

"We all love the warm sunshine that comes with summer, but it’s important for our residents, particularly the elderly, very young and those with health challenges to say cool, stay hydrated and stay informed," Councilman Dave White said Thursday. "The fact is that heat is dangerous, and it can kill, or cause heat stroke or heat exhaustion."

The county Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) purchased 200 of the fans and 100 were donated by PECO. That same day, the fans were delivered to the county’s eight senior centers for distribution to seniors needing cooling assistance.

"A fan might not seem like a big help, but air flow helps the body evaporate sweat and cool down," White said. "Creating air flow is important. We want to thank PECO for their generous donation to our seniors."

Residents are urged to visit the county website to read the 2017 Heat Plan, which is available online here, and review available resources.

The plan includes a Heat Information Line at (610) 872-1558, extended hours at Senior Centers, and educational information on heat safety tips, dehydration, and safe use of fans.

People who need additional assistance can contact a COSA’s Information and Assistance service at (610) 490-1300.

The plan calls for senior centers and adult day care centers to extend their hours, to offer water and non-caffeinated beverages throughout the day, and to reinforce with service-provider drivers to check on consumers.

Care managers are asked to identify "at risk" people who are homebound, living alone, or have a prior history of inadequate cooling in their home.

When the elderly and chronically ill don’t have protection from the heat, such as air-conditioning and plenty of fluids, they can develop serious health effects.

It is also important to remember the safety of pets during the warmer, more humid months as animals respond differently to heat.

"It's not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity that can affect your pet," White said. "If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly. Please also remember to not leave anyone in a car, including your pets and make sure they have plenty of water and shade."

Delaware County Senior Medical Advisor Dr. George Avetian said it is particularly important for seniors and those with health problems to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

Common symptoms of dehydration are:

• headache;
• dry skin;
• light-headedness;
• nausea;
• and fast heartbeat.

On any day when temperatures reach 90-degrees, it is especially important for young children and older adults, as well as people who have heart and breathing problems or are on certain medications, to pay close attention to what they are doing and how they feel during hot and humid weather.

People need to drink before they feel thirsty and if someone experiences signs of heat exhaustion, drinking water is not enough to reverse the symptoms.

COSA offers the following heat safety tips:

• drink plenty of fluids (in consultation with your physician regarding medication and fluids);
• wear lightweight clothing;
• stay indoors or seek relief at a senior center, mall or friend’s house who has air-conditioning;
• and avoid strenuous activity.

People should limit alcohol or beverages containing caffeine.

Image via Delaware County