Just a reminder to keep a hand out for your local elderly (the young at heart!). Remind them or help them to get to and from a local mall or free senior center on hot days to keep cool if they don't have A/C & hydrate often. Most senior centers have extended hours during hot days.

- Elizabethtown Area Senior Center, located in the GEARS Community Center, 70 S. Poplar Street, Elizabethtown, PA
- Lancaster Rec Senior Center - 525 Fairview Avenue, lower level
- Rodney Park Happy Hearts Club Senior Center, Rodney and Crystal Streets
- Lancaster House North Happy Hearts Club Senior Center, 335 North Prince Street, ground level activity room


Hot weather is dangerous, and seniors are particularly prone to its threat. Elderly heat stroke and heat exhaustion are a real problem. In fact, a recent University of Chicago Medical Center study found that 40% of heat-related fatalities in the U.S. were among people over 65.

There are several reasons for elderly heat vulnerability. People's ability to notice changes in their body temperature decreases with age. Many seniors also have underlying health conditions that make them less able to adapt to heat. Furthermore, many medicines that seniors take can contribute to dehydration. Fortunately, a few simple precautions are all that's needed to keep safe.

Here are some guidelines for keeping safe in hot weather:

  1. Drink Plenty of Liquids
  2. Wear Appropriate Clothes
    An old Swedish saying says, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." When it's hot out, wear light-colored, lightweight, loose-fitting clothes and a wide-brimmed hat.
  3. Stay Indoors During Mid-day Hours
  4. Take it Easy
  5. Watch the Heat Index
    When there's a lot of moisture in their air (high humidity), the body's ability to cool itself through sweating is impaired. The heat index factors humidity and temperature to approximate how the how the weather really feels. The current heat index can be found on all popular weather websites, and is also usually announced on local TV and radio weather reports during periods of warm weather.
  6. Seek Air-conditioned Environments
    Seniors whose houses aren't air-conditioned should consider finding an air-conditioned place to spend time during extreme heat.The mall, library or movie theater are all popular options. During heat waves, many cities also set up "cooling centers," air-conditioned public places, for seniors and other vulnerable populations. Seniors without convenient access to any air-conditioned place might consider a cool bath or shower.
  7. Know the Warning Signs of Heat-related Illness

Learn how there's an elderly death risk linked to higher temperatures and get info on dealing with elderly dehydration.