Dauphin County Commissioners, Area Agency on Aging help at-risk senior citizens beat the heat with free AC units and fans

Home More News Dauphin County Commissioners, Area Agency on Aging help at-risk senior citizens beat the heat with free AC units and fans

HARRISBURG, PA (June 18, 2018)– Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III and the county’s Area Agency on Aging are warning older adults, particularly those with asthma, heart or lung diseases and other health concerns, about the extreme temperature today and are activating their heat emergency plan. As part of the plan, the county’s aging office caseworkers are contacting at-risk clients to ensure their safety and well-being.

According to the National Weather Service, the high temperature today will be in the 90s, with a heat index around 100 degrees.

“We are reaching out to senior citizens who have health concerns, live alone or have limited mobility to make sure they are safe and offer assistance,” said Hartwick, who has oversight of the county's Area Agency on Aging. “We’re also making air conditioning units and fans available to adults age 60 and over who qualify for services.”

Residents in need must call the Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging at 717-780-6130 to request a fan or air conditioner or to obtain other assistance, such as transportation to an air-conditioned place.

Hartwick also encouraged senior citizens to seek refuge from the high temperatures at the following area senior centers: 

  • Bistline Senior Center, 1291 S. 28th Street, Harrisburg, Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • B’Nai B’rith Senior Center, 130 Third Street, Harrisburg, Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • East Hanover Senior Center, 8848 Jonestown Rd., Grantville, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Friendship Senior Center, 5000 Commons Drive, Harrisburg, Monday – Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Heinz-Menaker Senior Center, 1824 North 4th Street, Harrisburg, Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Hoy Senior Center, 301 Mohn Street, Steelton, Monday – Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Jewish Community Center, 3301 North Front Street, Harrisburg, Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Lick Towers Senior Center, 1301 North 6th Street, Harrisburg, Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Lykens Senior Center, 200 West Main Street, Harrisburg, Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Millersburg Senior Center, 109 Edward Drive, Millersburg, Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Mohler Senior Center, 25 Hope Drive, Hershey, Monday – Friday, from 8 am. to 4 p.m.
  • Rutherford House Center, 3300 Parkview Lane, Harrisburg, Monday – Friday, from 8 am. to 4 p.m.

“Excessive heat forces our body to work harder than normal, and for senior citizens, this can be a dangerous -- and even deadly -- problem,” said Haste. “Although heat exhaustion and dehydration are serious medical conditions, they can easily be prevented by avoiding outdoor activity and sun exposure, drinking plenty of water, limiting strenuous activity and exercise and having a place to keep cool.”

Common symptoms of heat-related illness are a fever, flushed and sweaty skin, and extreme thirst.

“Please check on aging family members, friends and neighbors who live alone or are homebound to make sure they aren’t suffering from the heat and have a working air conditioning,” said Pries. “You could very well save a life in the process."

For more safety tips, please visit www.Ready.gov.