With summer here and temperatures rising, it is important to understand the health risks of excessive heat and recognize the signs of heat-related illness. Being hot for too long can be a problem. It can cause several illnesses, all grouped under the name hyperthermia.

These factors can increase your risk of hyperthermia:

• Not drinking enough fluids.
• Reduced sweating caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and certain heart and blood pressure drugs.
• High blood pressure or other health conditions that require changes in diet. People on salt-restricted diets may be at increased risk; however, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a doctor.
• Use of multiple medications. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.
• Age-related changes to the skin, such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat production.
• Heart, lung, and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.
• Being substantially overweight or underweight.
• Lack of mobility and access to transportation.
• Living in housing without air conditioning.
• Overdressing, especially in synthetic materials.

Understanding how to respond to hot weather conditions can help lower your risk of hyperthermia. Learn more about hot weather safety for older adults on NIA’s webpage and watch this video about exercising safely in hot weather.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis, free help is immediately available.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, via phone, text and online chat, offering people compassionate care and support from trained crisis counselors for individuals, families or their loved ones. One does not have to be suicidal to call 988 but can reach out when experiencing any behavioral health crisis. 988 call services are available in English and Spanish, along with interpretation services in more than 150 languages. Texting 988 and online chat are currently available only in English. Veterans and military service members can call 988 and press “1” to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line.

If you do not see an aging friend or relative often, changes in his or her health may seem dramatic. In contrast, the primary caregiver might not notice such changes or realize that more help, medical treatment, or supervision is needed. Or, the primary caregiver might not want to accept the fact that the health of his or her spouse or parent is failing. 
 
As a caregiver, you can provide support by helping an aging friend or relative get the care they need.
 
To learn more, click the button below.

Prevent foodborne illness during emergencies and disasters.

Check out these Resource Materials from USDA's Food and Nutrition Service.

Any pharmacy in Oregon can make an emergency prescription refill for a person who had to leave an area affected by a declared disaster.

• It is preferred, and in some cases perhaps easier, to use the same company that filled the original prescription.
• If the pharmacist believes the medicine is needed to maintain the patient’s health or to continue established treatment, the pharmacist can make a refill.
• The emergency refill may be for no more than a 30-day supply.
• Go to any pharmacy in Oregon, preferably one from the same company as the original fill and request an emergency 30-day refill.
• A pharmacy will bill insurance as normal if you have insurance. There still may be an associated co-pay.
• Reach out to their insurance company and work with your pharmacy to get the medications refilled and the costs covered. Call the state’s consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 if there are any issues.
• If you don’t have insurance or have other questions about accessing emergency refills, Oregon Health Authority might be able to help. E-mail the Oregon Health Authority’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program with the link below.
  

September 18th - 24th, 2022
 
Join the National Council on Aging in observing Falls Prevention Awareness Week, September 18-24, 2022. The week is a national health campaign observed on the first day of fall to increase awareness around falls health and injury prevention.
 
The NCOA has created Falls Free Check-Up, an online screening tool that can serve as a first step for older adults to learn more about falls risk and steps to prevent falls and accidents. To take the Check-Up, click the button below.

• Refrigerated or frozen foods may not be safe to eat after the loss of power.
• During power outages, keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep the cold in.
• Throw out perishable food in your refrigerator (meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and any leftovers) after 4 hours without power. A freezer can stay cold for up to 48 hours, but any frozen perishable foods should be thrown away if they thawed. Never taste food to determine if it is safe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment. Unplugging your medical devices, appliances, computers and other sensitive electronics can protect them from damage when the power returns.
• If you use a generator during the public safety power shutoff, never use it inside your home, basement or garage.
• Run your generator more than 20 feet from any window, door or vent. Generators can produce carbon monoxide. When carbon monoxide builds up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, it can be lethal to people and animals.
• When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector in your home, especially in sleeping areas.

Click the button below for more information from the CDC.

Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on weather. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog (oregonsmoke.org).
Remember that cloth, dust and surgical masks do NOT protect from the harmful particles in smoke.
N95 or P100 respirators approved by NIOSH may offer protection, but they must be properly fitted and worn. They won’t work for everyone, especially children.
Here's how you can protect yourself and your family when smoke levels are high:

• Stay inside if possible.
• Follow your breathing plan if you have one. Wildfires and pollution contain small particles that can make asthma and other chronic diseases worse.
• Make sure you have enough medication and monitor your health. Call your health care provider if your asthma gets worse or you’re exposed to smoke.
• If you can, create a cleaner air space.
  • Keep windows and doors closed.
  • Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
  • If available, use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers.
  • You can also create a DIY box fan filter.
    
• If you are unable to create a cleaner air space, many communities open cleaner air spaces during severe smoke events. In partnership with local officials and organizations, 211Info maintains a list of public cleaner air spaces. You can learn more about cleaner air spaces:
  
• Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-698-6155- available 24 hours a day.
  • Text your zip code to 898211 (TXT211) – available M-F from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  • Check www.211info.org

• Click the button below for more information on protecting your health during wildfires.
  

For many people in Oregon, dealing with the wildfires has been especially difficult.
For those directly affected by the fires and evacuations, these traumatic events can bring feelings of stress, anxiety, grief, worry and anger. Even those who were not directly affected by fires and evacuations this year but have experienced them in the past may feel these emotions again. Seeing news reports or images of current fires or hearing about fires affecting loved ones can drive feelings like anxiety and stress.
Click the number below to be connected with the Safe + Strong Helpline; someone to talk to or find mental health resources.

Caregivers Count 12th Annual Conference
 
Saturdays, September 10 - October 1, 2022, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT | Online
 
The 12th Annual Caregivers Count Conference is tailored specifically for family or informal caregivers who are caring for older adults.
 
The conference will be held for four consecutive weeks, September 10, 17, 24, and October 1. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from informative speakers as well as senior service agencies to learn about supportive services.
 
This year’s conference format will be streamed live via Zoom.
 
Sessions will also be recorded so that caregivers can refer back to them after the conference.
 
EVENT TOPICS:
 
September 10, 2022: Keynote: A Holistic Approach to Self-Care ( Jenn Chan, Senior Shower Project)
 
September 17, 2022: Strategies for Dementia Caregiving (Tami Anastasia, Dementia Caregiver Educator & Trainer)
 
September 24, 2022: Introduction to Long-Term Care (Vanessa Souza, Alzheimer's Association)
 
October 1, 2022: Fall Prevention & Home Safety (Santa Clara County Fire Department; Jenn Schachner, Lecturer @ San Jose State University)
 
To register for this event, click the button below.