KEEPING THEIR COOL
Seniors cope with heat wave
As the sun beat down from the Saskatoon sky, water balloons splashed across the front patio of the Sherbrooke Seniors Centre as staff worked to keep residents cool.
Under heat warnings from Environment Canada for much of the week, Saskatoon is expected to swelter in temperatures hovering around the mid-30s for the remainder of the week. Forecasters say the thermometer could reach 38 C today.
Environment Canada says children and seniors are particularly vulnerable. Deb Schick, team leader for professional practice with Sherbrooke Seniors Centre, said it’s critical to ensure the elderly are cared for during times of extreme heat.
“When it does get hot, we really ask our staff to make sure that all of our elders are getting lots of fluids, especially water,” she said, noting they try to avoid serving sugary or caffeinated beverages.
Betty Stubbs, 84, was among the residents watching a water balloon fight at the centre on Thursday. Students from the Oak Trees and Acorns Child Care Centre on site also participated.
“It’s nice,” Stubbs said. “Just being outside and having some fun.”
Schick said staff regularly organize events for residents at Sherbrooke, like water balloon fights, to help them cool off.
They also try to ensure residents are kept inside or in the shade during the hottest parts of the day, she said.
Suites managed by the Saskatoon Housing Authority (SHA), which maintains 1,200 low-income senior rentals in the city, don’t have air-conditioning, but SHA officials say they haven’t heard any complaints.
“In all of our seniors’ buildings, there’s caretakers on staff, so they’re constantly there monitoring the seniors and making sure that they’re okay,” said Dianne Baird, executive director for the provincial government’s Housing Network.
She noted seniors have access to shared spaces that are air-conditioned, like community rooms, lounges and corridors. Seniors also do daily self-checks on one another to ensure everyone is doing well, she said.
“If there were any issues, tenant relations staff would go in immediately and work with the tenants who had the concerns and make sure things are looked into.”
Residents also have the option of buying individual air conditioners and can use them constantly without ever seeing their electricity bills increase, Baird said, adding about 30 per cent of tenants have their own air conditioners.
Baird said family and other community members also have a role to play in ensuring elderly loved ones are taken care of during a heat wave.
It’s important to do regular checks, no matter where they live, she said.