Senior Center shares tips for staying cool during the heat wave

Look closely - there's a grey squirrel stretched out on the rocks in the shade
Photo by Tanis Coralee Leonhardi

In past years, Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center has been a drop-in for those needing to escape the heat of their homes during extremely warm weather during the summer months. 

Unfortunately, we are not able to open our doors for drop-in visits as we operate rigid health guidelines to protect the integrity of all of our current nutrition programs and services.

However, we encourage you to incorporate some of the tips listed below as you battle the heat. We also ask that you be mindful of your senior neighbors.

If you do not see activity around their homes during this time, please check on them and share how you stay cool. Many homes in Shoreline do not have central air and can heat up into the 90s. 

• Turn on fans
• Drink plenty of water
• Hang out in the coolest part of their homes/apts, etc.
• Go to a nearby park and sitting under a shade tree if they are ambulatory if they get too warm
• Do not overexert yourself with household chores, exercise regimes, etc.
• Take shorter walks with your dog, he/she will be fine as they are hot as well
• Reduce intake of hot beverages, including coffee (add ice if you must have your cup a day)
• Close blinds during the day

Grey squirrel stretched out flat in the shade
Photo by Tanis Coralee Leonhardi

A few additional things you can do to help out a neighbor in coping with the heat:

• Loan them a fan
• Drop a case of water at their doorstep with a note listing your name and phone #
• Drop off a bag of ice
• Offer to walk their dog for them; be sure to provide them your name and phone number
• Offer to drive them to the grocery store rather than them drive themselves; and carry their packages for them
• If you have concerns about a neighbor, knock on their door but have a sign that they can read through the window, that states your name, address and phone # and simply say “Are you OK
• Strangers at doorsteps can be very intimidating but a sign allows them to take whatever precautions they have a need to do, before opening the door to a stranger