Keeping your older friends & family safe during the blazing heat

There have already been seven heat-related deaths across Riverside County since July and with more excessive heat expected through the weekend, it’s the senior and elderly community that is most at risk for heat-related illnesses.

The Mizell Senior Center in Palm Springs gives seniors a much-needed break from the summer heat.

“I know with our senior community they don’t feel thirsty and so they don’t drink,” said Suzanne Spencer of the senior center.

In the Coachella Valley, an 84-year-old man in Indio, a 91-year-old man in Bermuda Dunes, and a 79-year-old man in Palm Desert. Hemet has three heat-related deaths and one person died in the city of Riverside.

“For people who live alone, I encourage you to befriend your neighbor. So you know you can be assertive in your own care, your own help. So people can come check on you and you can check on them as well,” Spencer said.

Spencer recommends to always check on your neighbors and to never ignore any possible signs of heat exhaustion

“Headaches dizziness, listlessness, rapid heart-beat chest pains. If you feel faint call 911, you may save a life your own,” Spencer added.