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Volunteers Helping Seniors Survive Summer Heat

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Jul 21, 2008 5:49 pm US/Central

Volunteers Helping Seniors Survive Summer Heat

Reporting
Steve Pickett
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― For the fourth day in a row the temperature has climbed to the 100-degree mark.

So far this month, the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department reports there have been 21 heat exhaustion cases.

As the temperature rises, so does the effort to protect people from heat-related illness. Neighbors are helping neighbors. Agencies and volunteers across North Texas are keeping a close eye on seniors living alone.





Volunteers like John McCasland provide a daily lunch for seniors who often live alone. Part of his duties includes a quick assessment of needs, including temperature gauging for many of these residents and their homes. He has found clients without air conditioning.

"I become particularly concerned when they're alone and maybe don't have family in the area," McCasland explained.

Dallas County Health and Human Services sends out air conditioner installers once families notify them of the real danger of having no air conditioning. 

Twenty-four hours ago only the fans circulating hot air could help 74-year-old Sarah Dismuke. Today she, her 88-year-old sister and two-year-old granddaughter have a new air conditioner in the window. A call to Dallas' Health and Human Services Division did the trick.



"I really appreciate it 'cause it happened so quick," Dismuke said. "But I thin they responded good and I really like that."

Since June Dallas County has logged 49 heat exhaustion reports, but so far no deaths.

If you or someone you know doesn't have a working air conditioner in their home, click on the following links or contact the following organizations:

 People Helping People (City Of Dallas): 214-670-7327 
 DCHHS Heat Emergency Hotline: 214-819-6001 
 The Senior Source: 214.823.5700 
 Service Experts Home Comfort Squad (serves all of DFW): (972) 424-4300 or 1-800-HEAT-COOL 
 Dallas County Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program: (214) 819-6001 
 Resources For Elderly Fort Worth Residents

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