Emergency Cooling Centers Set Up Around Lake County For Seniors

With local temperatures soaring near 100 last week, the Lake County Council on Aging, area senior centers and the Lake County General Health District want to make sure that seniors know there are several cooling centers in Mentor and throughout Lake County where they can go to stay cool and be safe.

Lake County seniors without air conditioning and in need of a place to cool off during extreme heat may visit any one of the senior centers listed below. Residents must call ahead to confirm times of operation.

• , 8484 Munson Road  (440) 974-5725
• Eastlake Senior Center, 1580 East 332^nd Street (440) 975-4268
• Fairport Senior Center, 1380 East Street  (440) 354-3674
• Kirtland Senior Center, 7900 Chardon Road (440) 256-4711
• Madison Senior Center, 2938 Hubbard Road  (440) 428-6664
• Painesville Senior Center, 85 N. Park Place, (440) 352-8095
• Perry Senior Center, 2800 Perry Park Road  (440) 259-3772
• Wickliffe Senior Center, 900 Worden Road  (440) 373-5015
• Willoughby Senior Center, 38032 Brown Ave.  (440) 951-2832
• Willowick Senior Centerm, 321 East 314th Street  (440) 585-5112

Those residents in emergency need of transportation may call Laketran’s Dial-a-Ride service at 440-354-6100 for a ride to their local cooling center Monday thought Friday.

Additional cooling centers include: Concord Community Center, 7671 Auburn Road  (440) 639-4650; Grand River City Hall, 205 Singer Ave. (440) 357-5222; Painesville Township (440) 352-1443; Manry Park Activities Center, 30100 Arnold Drive (Willowick) (440) 516-3011; Willoughby Hills Library and Community Center, 35400 Chardon Road  (440) 942-3362; Leroy Community Center 13028 Leroy Ctr. Rd.  (440) 254-4071; Mentor-on-the-Lake City Hall 5860 Andrews Road (440) 257-7216.

Furthermore, in these temperatures, it is important for the elderly and their family members to be familiar with the signs of heat related illnesses.These symptoms include an increase in body temperature and extremely hot and dry skin.

If a family member experiences a throbbing headache or dizziness after exposure to extreme heat, then this could also be a sign of heat-induced illness.

These symptoms can be present in anyone of any age if they experience prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. Seniors should be on the lookout for heavy sweating, sudden weakness, skin that is cold and pale in color, a weak pulse and vomiting or fainting.

All of these should all be treated as possible signs of a heat-related illness.

To reduce the risk of heat related illnesses, individuals should consider limiting outdoor physical activity. Drink plenty of water, schedule frequent rest breaks, and stay in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.