Community Corner

5 Ways to Help Your Elderly Neighbors During High Temperatures

There's a heat wave in Upper St. Clair this week. Be sure to check on your elderly loved ones.

By Becky Brindle

The Allegheny County Health Department is warning that the heat and humidity forecasted for the next few days may pose serious health problems for the elderly.

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services Area Agency on Aging encourages neighbors, friends and relatives to check on senior citizens during these periods of high temperatures.

The following tips are offered for those who plan to visit the elderly:

1. Offer a glass of water or a non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage. Sit with them as they drink it. If plain water is boring, try one of the no-calorie fruit flavored waters.

2. Check for breathing difficulty or other signs of distress, such as swelling of the ankles or disorientation. Seek medical attention if needed, or call a medical professional for advice.

3. Check to see that window air conditioning units are operating and in good condition. If there is no air conditioning, make sure there is good cross-ventilation aided by fans.

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

4. Check that they are eating. If they are not due to lack of appetite, try offering light protein-laden foods, such as fully cooked eggs, cottage cheese or lentils.

5. Make them aware of nearby senior centers to visit. Six of them are extending their hours due to the heat on July 17. The Catholic Youth/Stephen Foster center is open from 7 a.m. to 7 pm.; the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and the Citiparks Greenfield Center, Citiparks Homewood Center, South Side Market House Center and the Citiparks Sheraden Center are all open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If seniors resist visits, encourage them to agree to a few phone calls each day, but pay attention to whether they sound alert and if they can tell you which medicines they have taken.

More tips for keeping cool are located on the Allegheny County Department of Human Services website at www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/cooling-tips.aspx.

What advice do you have? Tell us in the comments below.


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