Elderly Especially Vulnerable And At-risk Of Heat Stroke During 100-degree Weather Say Doctors

LOS ANGELES - July 11, 2018 - PRLog -- Doctors at Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero (Clínica Romero) ask the public to heed warnings about health concerns as a result of high temperatures hitting the southland this weekend. They ask the public to check in on elderly neighbors who are especially vulnerable and at-risk of heat stroke.

   "It is absolutely necessary that everyone, particularly the elderly – our most vulnerable population – stay cool during these hot days when temperatures reach, and often surpass, 100 degrees," said Dr. Ruth Lindo, a provider at Clínica Romero. "The elderly often fail to realize how warm it is, and wear too much clothing. It is important to assess how warm their living space is and how much clothing they are wearing. The elderly should be encouraged to remove extra layers of clothing," added Lindo.

According to Dr. Lindo, there are specific steps the public can take to stay cool. These include:

• Stay hydrated by drinking cool liquids.
• Stay in the shade and avoid unnecessary activity when temperatures are over 100.
• If possible, look for places that are air-conditioned. If the home is not air conditioned, consider visiting a movie theater or shopping mall that is air-conditioned.
• If air conditioning is not an option, remove extra clothing, use a fan and apply wet rags to the skin.
• If a fan is not available, bathe frequently and sponge with water.

Dr. Lindo recommends checking on elderly neighbors, since they are at risk for heat stroke during scorching hot summer days. Older people frequently do not feel discomfort, and they may fail to take cooling measures. If their housing is excessively warm, they may need to be taken to an air-conditioned location. Click the following link http://lacountylibrary.org/documents/coolingcenter/cooling-center-v37-2018-july02.pdf for a list of senior cooling centers available throughout L.A. County.

For media inquiries or interviews with Dr. Ruth Lindo at Clínica Monseñor Romero, contact Evelyn Aleman at (818) 943-2481 or via e-mail at evelyn@mipr.net. Visit our website at http://clinicaromero.com

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About Us
Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero (Clínica Romero) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) established in 1983 in Los Angeles County to improve the availability, accessibility, and coordination of primary and preventive healthcare services for low-income families and residents of the Pico-Union/Westlake area near downtown Los Angeles. Thirty years after its inception, Clínica Romero continues to uphold its mission to provide quality, affordable, and culturally sensitive health care and other services to the uninsured, insured, and underserved communities of greater Los Angeles regardless of ability to pay by upholding the legacy and tradition of Monseñor Oscar Romero.