‘As we age, our bodies can’t handle extreme temperature changes’: How seniors can stay safe this summer

BEND, Oregon. (KTVZ) – It’s been a hot week here in central Oregon, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s, and more warm weather is on the way.

For those who are particularly heat sensitive, be sure to stay hydrated and cool to stay safe this summer.

Medications and the increased risk of chronic disease make the older population more vulnerable to heat-related complications.

“As we age, our bodies can no longer withstand extreme temperatures. This includes extreme cold or extreme heat. So the older we get, the more likely we are to overheat,” Dr. Jessica LeBlanc, family physician at Mosaic Community Health, said Thursday.

Cooling stations can provide a place to stay and relax, to ensure you don’t overheat.

Deschutes County monitors heat risk with information from the National Weather Service to determine if there is a heat emergency.

With this declaration, cooling centers are opening up to help those in need.

Carissa Heinige, public health emergency coordinator for Deschutes County, said, “It is by monitoring these levels and based on the duration of the event that we would recommend, in coordination with our sheriff’s emergency management group, if we believe a county-level activation is necessary to open up cooling spaces.”

Lack of sweat, exhaustion, and irritability are all symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

LeBlanc says to make sure to watch your neighbors and friends in hot weather.