Resources to Navigate Summer’s Heat Waves

Apprehensive looking older adult vacantly staring out the window.

and sometimes that heat is dangerous. As the summer heat intensifies, Californians should take precautions to make sure they stay cool and safe. Prolonged periods of extreme heat can pose serious health risks, particularly for older adults, young children, people with existing medical conditions, pregnant people, and those without access to air conditioning. A few tips to beat the heat:

Summer brings the heat –

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Group of three seniors (two men and one woman), laughing together and drinking water outside after exercising.

Beat the Heat:

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Online Shopping & Negative Reviews

Banks & Lenders

• Stay cool! Indoors is best, with air conditioning. Find a cooling center near you. • Stay hydrated. Sip water and avoid caffeine and alcohol. • Look after each other. Check in on friends, neighbors, and family — and have them do the same for you!

Older adults don’t always adjust well to sudden changes in temperature and are more likely to have medical conditions that change normal body responses to heat. They also might take medications that affect the body’s ability to cool down. Here are some helpful resources for older adults and caregivers as they navigate through summer’s often extreme heat:

Senior women with glasses and a turqoise blouse sitting inside in front of a standing fan.

• Heat wave resources (California Department of Aging) • Heat and Older Adults (Centers for Disease Control) • Check weather by Zip Code (weather.gov) • Prepare for California heat waves (HeatReadyCA.com) • Extreme Heat (California Department of Public Health) • California Aging & Adult Information Line – Local information for aging and disability services: 800-510-2020 • Sign up for emergency alerts (Listos California)