Unbearable Heat During Blackout Followed By Heat Wave?
Senior Spotlight
by John Toscano

The recent power blackout, which unfortunately is not completely ended in Northwest Queens, made seniors more aware than ever of the serious problems connected with unbearable heat and no way to get relief from it.

If the weatherman is on target by now, we're expected to be in a heat wave, so seniors, who except for babies and toddlers, are in the most danger from extreme heat, should be aware that there are "cooling centers" where they can stay reasonably cool during the daytime.

The cooling centers provide a quick break from the heat and can be helpful for a senior, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) said. Noting that a heat wave, such as we had last week and which could possibly happen again, Gianaris pointed out: "The cooling centers exist to give people, especially seniors, a way to protect themselves."

This area's cooling centers are located at the Steinway Senior Center 20-43 Steinway St.; the HANAC JVL Lindsay Center, 29-19 24th Ave.; Raices Astoria Center 21-21 30th Road; the Peter DellaMonica Center, 23-56 Broadway, and the HANAC Archbishop Iakovos Center, 32-06 21st St.

Gianaris also issued these heat safety tips:

+ Check on elderly neighbors who may or may not have air conditioning.

+ Make sure pets have plenty of water and lots of shade.

+ Drink plenty of fluids, and don't wait until you're thirsty to have them. It's better to avoid beverages with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar. Also, avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.

+ With temperatures in the high 90s, fans won't prevent heat related illness. Acool bath or shower is a better way to cool off.

The city Department for the Aging (DFTA) operated its senior centers during the blackout. They should be still ready to welcome seniors who need to get out of the heat.

All senior centers were open during the blackout and provided food and water to seniors, the city Office of Emergency Management (OEM) said last week. A total of 950 seniors visited these centers. During the power blackout 150 seniors received Meals-on-Wheels deliveries.

In the Sunnyside/Woodside area, Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) was one of the centers OEM called upon to provide respite for seniors.

Well into the blackout, Con Ed delivered an emergency generator to SCS at 43-31 39th St., Sunnyside (718-784-6173) on Thursday, July 20. Eventually, the center was restored to near normal power capacity, allowing it to open its doors safely and provide seniors a life-saving escape from the heat, according to Roberta Zulewski of SCS.

The next day, OEM selected SCS as one of several local service organizations that would remain open for the rest of that week.

SCS also urges all New Yorkers to check up on their elderly and/or disabled friends and neighbors possibly once or twice a day during heat wave days to make sure they are not in any danger.

ELDER ABUSE: In response to the alleged abuse of 104-year-old socialite and philanthropist Brooke Astor, New York State Bar Association Elder Law Section Chair Ellen G. Makofsky, Esq. CELA, prepared the following tips for preventing elder abuse as a public service to our readers:

1. Arrange for direct deposit of your Social Security funds and other retirement benefits.

2. Do not allow anyone to have access to your ATM cards or passwords.

3. Take great care in your choice of whom you choose to have power of attorney, and when completing or revising your will.

4. Be careful about permitting family, friends, or tenants to live in your home. Have a written agreement about expectations of services to be performed or rent paid.

5. Do not lose your perspective about house help or health aides; they are your employees.

6. Be wary of telephone solicitors who offer cash or prizes in exchange for personal information.

7. Be very suspicious of "get rich quick" schemes. As always, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

8. Do not respond to every charitable request and try to ascertain what percentage of funds raised goes toward the cause, and what percentage goes toward administrative overhead.

9. Keep valuables hidden from sight and money in the bank, not "under the mattress."

10. Maintain contact with family, friends, neighbors and/or your local community center. The more active you are, the less likely you are to become the victim of elder abuse.

For more information, contact Ari Fuld at Linden, Alschuler & Kaplan, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 940, New York, New York 10020, telephone 212-329-1422.