In an effort to assist the community, Hutchins Street Square in Lodi, has established a cool zone. (Mitchell W. Podraza/News-Sentinel)

Cooling centers are established to protect Lodi's seniors during heat

Care home workers on Monday broke out the watermelon and ice pops; the LOEL Center opened a cooling center, and city officials established a cool zone and game room at Hutchins Street Square to safeguard the community's elders, who are at special risk of heat-related problems.

"Maybe there are some who die because they don't realize how hot it really is," said Noma Sawtelle, who was hanging out at the LOEL Center, watching the evening news and eating pizza. Pearl Malmlov said she wasn't accustomed to the heat as she spent most her life in the northern U.S. states that share a border with Canada.

She and Sawtelle agreed that some elderly people might wear sweaters or jackets indoors and out, even if the temperature is high.

At Hutchins Street Square, Adult Day Services Executive Director Terry Whitmire said the center is required by the state to keep common areas 30 degrees cooler than the outside temperature, so if it's 110 degrees outside the care home has to be at 80 or less.

Older folks, especially those with dementia, she said, see the sunny conditions and want to go outside, not realizing the danger of the heat. And, keeping people hydrated is key — they make hourly "watering times" more palatable by joking about the chore, she said.

"The older generation didn't grow up drinking water. They'd prefer to drink tea or coffee, which is dehydrating," Whitmire said.

At Arbor Place convalescent home, air conditioning is turned on two hours earlier, by 9 a.m. Some Arbor Place residents try to keep their slider doors open, and don't like drinking so much water, said facility manager Martina Slaughter. She said elderly people's skin is drier and thinner without the elasticity and insulation of a younger person's, and so seniors often can't feel the extreme heat.

"That's why a lot of elderly people get into trouble: They don't realize it's so hot and their bodies need fluids," Slaughter said.

LOEL Executive Director Tracy Williams and staff members tried to notify as many residents of the nearby LOEL-managed apartment complex about the extended hours at the center.

Williams said she had not heard of heat-related problems for people who receive the center's Meals on Wheels service.

Joanne Murphy, who was at LOEL enjoying the air conditioned room, said her 93-year-old mom, a resident at Fairmont Rehabilitation Hospital, likes to have several blankets covering her, and sleeps wearing flannel pajamas.

"She says she's cold, but she's very inactive," Murphy said. "She's comfortable, but she needs to drink more water than she has."

Noreen Munoz, resident services coordinator at Somerford Place, an Alzheimer's assisted living home in Stockton, said they are keeping air conditioning on 24 hours a day to help residents cope with the heat. At 72 degrees, some residents wore sweaters, but the low temperature is a precaution because some inhabitants don't think it's hot outside, Munoz said.

Residents must wear sunscreen if they go outdoors, which is allowed during the morning, Munoz said. Water and watermelon were both freely distributed.

City Manager Blair King invited people to the Pisano Room at Hutchins Street Square, Lodi's other "community cooling center."

"We would encourage everybody who doesn't have air conditioning available to them to use it during this heat wave," King said. "We'll take it one day at a time."

The Hutchins Street Square cooling center is stocked with board games, flavored water and snacks donated by Wal-Mart. Residents can get a free ride through Dial-a-Ride (333-6806). Both centers opened Monday and will be open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. today, adding additional evenings as necessary.

Lunch will be served at the LOEL Center at 11:30 a.m. with bingo beginning at 1:10 p.m. Water, snacks and cool drinks are available.

"We just want to be a place they can come and not worry about who's paying for the air conditioning," Williams said.

Contact reporter Kendyce Manguchei at kendycem@lodinews.com.

First published: Tuesday, July 25, 2006