A few reminders to help senior citizens and homeless beat the heat as temps rise
The hot temperatures we've experienced in Middle Georgia can take a toll on anyone's body, but Seniors and the Homeless are even more susceptible to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The hot temperatures we’ve experienced in Middle Georgia can take a toll on anyone’s body, but according to Executive Director at the Heart of Georgia Hospice, Jennifer Elliot, the elderly are even more susceptible to extreme heat.
“Even with our 90, 91 days, our heat index has been up in the 105’s and 108’s so when you’ve got that really high humidity that makes even our lower temperatures super-hot,” said Heart of Georgia Hospice, Executive Director Jennifer Elliott.
That’s why the Heart of Georgia Hospice are doing everything they can to help educate people on how to avoid overheating.
“As we get older our skin does kind of thin some, your circulation slows down some, a lot of things change where you just don’t feel that internal warmth that you used to feel,” said Elliott.
Seniors aren’t the only ones the we need to keep an eye on, Daybreak’s Assistant Director, Rhonda Williams describes the conditions many homeless people deal with on extremely hot days.
“Being homeless means they have no A/C in their homes, they have no homes and they have no air-conditioned office to go to because they are not currently working and they’re on the street,” said Daybreak, Assistant Director Rhonda Williams.
That’s why she wants to remind those in need that they can come to the shelter to beat the heat.
“The main thing would be to find shade and a source of cold water, we provide cold water 24/7 out of a 55-gallon drum even on the weekends,” Williams said.
