'This is the best place to be': West Allis Senior Center keeps seniors cool and safe during extreme heat
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The Milwaukee County medical examiner is investigating one heat-related death so far this year.
The office said it happened Monday near 64th and Thurston.
Last summer, there were 10 heat-related deaths and thousands of emergency room visits across the state of Wisconsin.
With temperatures climbing, older adults are among those most at risk.
Public cooling sites are providing respite to those most in need.
CBS 58's Jenna Wells stopped by the West Allis Senior Center on Tuesday, one of several registered cooling sites in Milwaukee County.
"In this hot weather, we want to be well hydrated, get something like a Gatorade," said Thomas Neville, a daily visitor at the West Allis Senior Center. "You can get those extra things, that helps."
During their regular hours, anyone is welcome inside the center to cool down on hot days, especially older adults.
"I'm disabled, so I have to keep moving to keep going, and this is the best place to be," said senior center visitor Thomas Stypulski.
Medical professionals warn that people 65 and older are more prone to heat-related health problems.
"As we age, we're not able to regulate our temperature as well, we don't sweat the way that we used to," said Shannon Byrne, West Allis' senior center coordinator.
In extreme heat, the CDC recommends seniors stay in air conditioning as much as possible, avoid strenuous activities, drink a lot of water, and look out for signs of overheating: nausea, cramping, excessive sweating, extreme thirst, and fatigue.
It's also important to check in with friends, family, and neighbors, and have them do the same for you.
At the West Allis Senior Center, visitors and staff are all looking out for each other.
"What I see is just people taking care of each other -- today somebody said to me, 'make sure you're drinking water,'" said member Mary Kay Flynn.
"It's just nice to come here and have smiling people around you," said member Cecelia Lively.
Despite being a registered cooling site for several years, Byrne says the center is often quieter on extreme weather days.
She hopes spreading the word will encourage folks to take advantage of it.
"If it's safer for you, especially if you have a heart or lung condition, to stay in your home where it's consistently air conditioned, that's great," Byrne explained. "But if that might not be your home situation, please feel free to come and visit us."
You can find public cooling sites like this one all over southeastern Wisconsin, often in senior centers, community centers, and public libraries.
Click here for a full list of cooling sites in Milwaukee County.
Those in need of resources are also encouraged to call or text 211.