Kids, seniors at risk in summer heat

At Troy's Sunnyside Center, a Catholic Charities agency that provides daycare, afterschool care and summer programs, the staff has had to be vigilant in protecting the children from the heat.

"We're out in the sun all of the time," said Sister Claudette Harris, CSJ, director of the appropriately named center.

In the shade

During a field trip, one of the 167 children in Sunnyside's summer program became ill due to the heat. The agency has also had more complaints of heat-related headaches.

The high humidity can cause problems for asthma sufferers. Sister Claudette noted that the children with asthma had more of a need for medication during recent weeks.

Sunnyside's staff were trained to be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illness and reminded on a weekly basis to monitor the children, she said.

Risk factors

Older people, she said, often have physical conditions that affect the body's natural cooling system and may also be on medication that makes them even more vulnerable to high temperatures.

Seniors may also be reluctant to take precautions from the heat, warned Mary Halbfinger, a case worker with the Senior Adult Services program. "They feel they don't need fans or air conditioning. They're not used to [air conditioning] and say it makes them cold."

Keeping watch

The agency brought a Niagara Mohawk consumer advocate to several of its meal centers to explain the precautions seniors need to take in the heat and humidity. Meal center managers also reminded the elderly to take precautions and were on the lookout for signs of heat-related illnesses. Home delivery drivers were also instructed to look for signs.

Signs of heat stress include a loss of energy and appetite. More serious signs include dizziness, rapid heartbeat, nausea, headache, dry skin, diarrhea, chest pain, weakness, breathing problems and cramps.

Fluids necessary

Phyllis Gatta, manager of the Scotia/Glenville Meal Center, said she has made fluids a top priority. "We really do encourage people to drink water," she said. "Hopefully at home, they push the fluids."

One meal center regular who was battling a kidney problem became dehydrated. "She was so dehydrated," Mrs. Gatta said. "She wasn't drinking enough. I'd have to remind her to drink."

Taking refuge

Although lunch isn't served until noon, Ms. Gdula said seniors start arriving at 9:30 a.m. and many stay until 2 p.m. to take advantage of the relief.

While many of the seniors enjoy their time at the meal center, Mrs. Gatta said temperature is an issue. "Older people don't mind the heat as much as the cold," she said. "They complain that it's too cold here, so I encourage them to bring a light sweater."

Mrs. Gatta has also found that some seniors are reluctant to use air conditioning because they lived for years without it.

Taking care

Peg Carbone, who has been coming to the meal center for 10 years, said the heat and humidity haven't bothered her this summer. "I live in a senior citizen apartment, and we have air conditioning," she said. "Then I get on the bus and come here."

Terry Leach, who has been coming to the meal center for 11 years, said this summer's heat and humidity have affected her. "I don't leave the house if it's too hot," she said. "I missed two Masses, so I went during the week when it was cooler."

Cooling off

"We try to be aware of any program offering cooling units to people who may not be able to afford fans or air conditioners, and we let our clients know about these opportunities," Ms. Gebell said. "We have also been able to link seniors who need cooling devices with people who are disposing of those they no longer need."

(To contact the Senior Adult Services program of Catholic Charities of Schenectady County, call 372-5667.)

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