Cooling centers open to help vulnerable New Yorkers escape dangerous heat
At the Rosetta Gaston Senior Center in Brownsville, seniors stepped inside looking for relief from the high temperatures outside.
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As temperatures climb across New York City this week, the city has activated cooling centers to help residents escape the dangerous heat. This is especially for older adults, who health officials say are among the most vulnerable during extreme weather.
At the Rosetta Gaston Senior Center in Brownsville, seniors stepped inside looking for relief from the high temperatures outside.
The cooling centers will be active Tuesday and Wednesday.
For some seniors, especially those without air conditioning inside their homes, the centers can be critical.
According to city data, lack of air conditioning inside the home is the leading risk factor for heat-related deaths in New York City.
The Department for the Aging commissioner warned that older adults without air conditioning face a higher risk of heat-related illness.
Doctors say prolonged exposure to high temperatures can quickly become dangerous, particularly for seniors and people with underlying health conditions.
“All of the important vital organs really potentially stress to their point of failure,” said Dr. Jenny Breznay, program director for geriatrics at Maimonides Medical Center.
Health experts say symptoms of heat exhaustion can include nausea, headaches, lethargy, fainting and swelling in the hands and legs.
Dr. Breznay also warns that older adults may not recognize when they are in danger.
“They’re unlikely to realize when it gets to the point of heat exhaustion. They’re not going to be making good decisions,” the doctor said.
Experts recommend drinking water regularly throughout the day, seeking air-conditioned spaces before symptoms begin and checking in on older relatives and neighbors during periods of extreme heat.
