50+ Lifestyles

Be a Fan to Seniors Program

By Lorrie Blumberg
CASI Director of Senior Services

With the first day of summer fast approaching, our thoughts turn to fun in the sun with family and friends. For most people, these hot and steamy days are the best time of year but for older adults the summer months can be extremely dangerous. Medical studies show that people 65 years or older are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature due to health conditions and medications. CASI’s Senior Advocacy Department encourages friends, family, and neighbors to check on older adults more frequently during days of extreme heat.

It is important to check in on older adults daily and ask the following questions.

• Are you drinking enough water?
• Do you have access to air conditioning?
• Do you know how to keep cool?

Are you able to stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible?

When checking on older family members and neighbors, make sure that they are not doing the following:

• Relying on a fan as their primary cooling device during an extreme heat event.
• Drink more water than usual and not waiting until they are thirsty to drink.
• Continually using the stove or oven to cook—it will make the individual and their house hotter

Encourage older adults to do the following if they are hot:

• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
• Check the local news for health and safety updates.
• Seek medical care immediately if you have, or someone you know has, symptoms of heat-related illness like muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, or vomiting.

For more information about summer heat relief or on how to get a free fan, call CASI’s Senior Advocacy Department, at 563-386-7477.

Please help our Seniors this summer!

CASI is accepting brand-new 20” box style fans for its summer “Be A Fan to Seniors Program”. CASI hands out approximately 150 fans during the summer months. Donations can be made in person or monetarily online at CASISeniors.org or by mail to CASI, 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52806.

Lorrie Blumberg is Director of Senior Services at  CASI, located at 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA  52806. For information call (563) 386.7477 or email info@CASIseniors.org.