Keeping cool: WAGES offers fans to seniors
By From staff reports
Published in News on June 5, 2018 5:50 AM
People 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities, are eligible to sign up through Oct. 31 for free fans through the Wayne County Services on Aging and WAGES.
For more information, call Brownie Doss at WAGES at 919-734-1178, ext. 215, or Paula Edwards at Wayne County Services on Aging at 919-705-1785.
The local program is part of Operation Fan Heat Relief through a partnership of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Aging and Adult Services, the N.C. Area Agencies on Aging and local service providers to distribute fans.
Since 1986, the relief program has purchased fans for older adults and adults with disabilities, providing them with a more comfortable living environment and reducing heat-related illnesses.
The program is made possible by donations from Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Progress, Dominion Resources and the Valassis Giving Committee, which allow regional area agencies on aging, and provider agencies to purchase fans for eligible individuals.
Last year, the division received $85,600 in donations, allowing for the distribution of 5,033 fans and 27 air conditioners.
As individuals age and develop chronic medical conditions, they are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature. They may also be taking medications that can worsen the impact of extreme heat.
Since 1986, Duke Energy Progress, Duke Energy Carolinas, Dominion Resources, and the Valassis Giving Committee have made contributions through the Division of Aging and Adult Services to Area Agencies on Aging to purchase fans in support of Operation Fan Heat Relief, a summer program intended to provide a more comfortable living environment and reduce heat related illnesses for older adults and adults with disabilities.
No public money is associated with the program.
The program has been successful because of the concerted effort of 16 regional area agencies on aging, and their local aging and human service provider agencies, which purchase and make fans available to eligible adults.
Air conditioners, in certain counties, can be provided on a client-specific basis for adults with more serious health-related illnesses.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services suggests that people talk with their doctor and be aware of the medications they take and know, for example, that painkillers can reduce awareness of the heat. Diuretics, which promote fluid loss, can also lead to dehydration more often during hot weather.
In addition to using electric fans, the following tips should be observed to reduce heat-related problems:
* Cool off by taking baths or showers or by placing ice bags or wet towels on the body.
* Stay out of direct sunlight, put shades over the windows and use cross-ventilation and fans to cool rooms.
* Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits sweat to evaporate.
* Drink plenty of liquids such as water, fruit, or vegetable juices and iced tea to replace the fluids lost by sweating. As a person ages, thirst declines. Limit intake of alcoholic beverages or fluids that have too much salt, since it can complicate existing medical problems, such as high blood pressure.
* Eat small meals and eat more often and avoid foods that are high in protein, which increases metabolic (body) heat.
* Keep your medicines in a cool, dry place.
* Check up on friends or neighbors who live alone.
* This can also be a good time to join your local senior center or take advantage of buildings made accessible to seniors during excessive heat.
* Take the heat seriously and do not ignore danger signs like nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue, confusion, labored breathing, chest discomfort and rapid or erratic pulse. They can all be signs of trouble.
* Get to a cool place, drink cool water slowly and seek medical help if conditions don't improve.
For more details, people should contact their area agency on aging or Lisa Worth, housing program consultant, division of aging and adult services, at 919-855-3419.
More information about Operation Fan Heat Relief, including tips on preparing for extreme heat and a list of local agencies distributing fans, is available at www.ncdhhs.gov/operation-fan-and-heat-relief.