It’s not triple-digit-hot yet, but temperatures are still in the high 80s and low 90s, and that can be dangerous for many older adults. Phoenix recently held a heat safety event for seniors.
It doesn’t take much to experience a heat-related illness, especially if you’re an older adult. Yanitza Soto is with the city, which is also home to more than a dozen senior centers.
"Some helpful tips include remaining hydrated — in the event that you're not thirsty, still take sips of water throughout the day," she says. "Ensuring that people know where to utilize air-conditioned spaces, especially the cooling center locations."
She also recommends wearing loose fitting clothes, a hat and using an umbrella when outside. Certain prescription medications can also affect a person’s heat tolerance — Soto suggests checking with your doctor about that.
Another resource is Arizona 211, which will offer rides 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to cooling centers starting May 1.
Heat safety for seniors from city of Phoenix
- Avoid dehydration, drink water when not thirst avoid caffeine and alcohol.
- Use air-conditioned spaces like cooling centers and libraries to stay cool.
- Avoid spending too much time outdoors.
- Dress for the heat: wear hats and lightweight clothing. Use umbrellas.
- Call your provider, pharmacist or poison control to discuss if you medication increase your risk for heat-related illness.
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The climate and sustainability program at Discovery Partners Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign wants to find ways to get people heat information that is more specific to particular locations at particular times, rather than a static kind of map. -
The variable climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean are associated with changing weather patterns globally. UA professors contributed to a study that found they are growing more extreme as greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to climate change. -
The National Weather Service has issued another extreme heat warning for the Phoenix area. This one is in effect Tuesday through Thursday. -
Learning declines as students suffer mentally and physically in hot environments. -
Phoenix has now covered 200 miles of city streets with cool pavement. The city has been applying the light, reflective coating since 2020 with the goal of reducing the urban heat island effect.
