Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — With temperatures rising, some older adults have a hard time keeping cool indoors. In today’s Positively 50+, we learn about a program that helps seniors feel more comfortable all summer long. When it’s hot out, it’s important that older people pay special attention to their health. “Children and older adults are both more vulnerable to heat-related illness,” said Afton January with Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services. Every summer, her team visits seniors. “Our drivers are out every single day and our case workers,” said Todd Wood, Salt Lake County program manager for the outreach & ombudsman team. They make sure those with chronic conditions especially are keeping cool. “Some of them are homebound and can’t get out of their home,” Wood said. Many live on fixed incomes and can’t afford air conditioning. “They go to those homes and it’s really, really hot in there,” Wood said. That’s where Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services comes in. Every summer, they roll out a program asking the community to donate new box fans to seniors in need. “This year when we looked at our stock, we thought, 'Oh gosh, we need more donations,'” January said. They’d like to have at least 20 fans in stock, but with such a low supply, every bit helps, and January said it’s a simple process. “Just bring your never used electric fan to the Salt Lake County Government Center or your neighborhood senior center,” January said. The county also offers free cooling centers during the hottest times of the year. “We partner with the county, city libraries, county libraries and other facilities the county operates,” January said. With the donated fans and cooling centers, everyone can help older adults stay cool, safe and healthy. “We’re doing our best here at SLCo Aging services to provide as much as possible to those in need with the services that we can provide,” Wood said. You can drop off fans at the Salt Lake County Government Center or any of the seniors centers in the county. More information can be found on their website.
