With summer heating up, an effort is underway to assist those who are among the most susceptible to its dangers. Emeritus at Lafayette is deploying its Shade Brigade to help local seniors weather the high temperatures in coming weeks. The Shade Brigade, comprised of Emeritus staff, will fan out to seniors' homes to bring coolers filled with water, popsicles, fruit and juice. The team will also check on the seniors' well being, provide heat-related safety tips and invite the seniors to Emeritus at Lafayette for a free meal and time to cool off in the air conditioning.
"The heat of summer can be more than unpleasant; it could be deadly," said Emeritus at Lafayette Executive Director Kathie Zimmermann. "We want to do what we can to help as the temperatures rise."
People 65 and over are more prone to heat stress for several reasons, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are less able to adjust to sudden temperature changes, more likely to have a chronic medical condition that affects how the responds to heat, and likelier to be taking medications that affect the body's ability to regulate temperature or perspire.
"The Shade Brigade reflects Emeritus' Safely Somewhere philosophy, in which we do our best to ensure that seniors are living in safe, purposeful environments whether they reside with us or elsewhere," Zimmermann said. Along with Emeritus at Lafayette, Emeritus Senior Living communities nationwide are taking part in the Shade Brigade, with the goal of assisting more than 5,000 seniors in coming weeks.
To suggest a senior for a visit by the Shade Brigade click here, or call 337-993-0077.