Heat Wave Plans- Older Adults

August 2003, Paris, the Mother of All Heat Waves. Almost 15,000 people died during a heat wave that swept northwestern Europe between 1 August and 20 August, with sustained temperatures at 104 degrees. The majority of the victims were elderly people living inside the cities in their own homes. In an attempt to find out why so many perished, researchers discovered that most deaths could have been prevented if preventive measures had been developed and implemented. Throughout northwestern Europe, air conditioning is extremely rare, even in nursing homes. Why? It just doesn't get hot enough. Although statistics show that temperatures worldwide have increased steadily since 1948, France ignored the possible threat of heat-related deaths with the hope that it could not happen there. This is the same denial mindset of New Orleans officials, who believed that their city could never be destroyed by a hurricane. That was the mindset before Katrina, also resulting in mass loss of life. The French government studied other heat waves in St. Louis, Kansas City, New York, and Chicago and found similarities among the heat-related deaths. Elderly people living at home were the most vulnerable, especially those with dementia, chronic diseases, lack of mobility, lack of insulation, lack of vegetation [shade] around the building, living on a higher floor, and failure to implement cooling techniques such as fans, misters, lightweight clothing, and cool showers. During a heat wave, it is imperative that elderly disabled persons who cannot implement protective measures have someone around to assist them. Above all, make a plan just in case. More later. Dr. J