1 minute read
Combating Heat
Improving Health & Quality of Life for Vulnerable Older Adults
During the July 2022 heat wave, NWSDS agency staff pulled together to identify high risk consumers needing air conditioning (AC) units to mitigate negative health impact on them and ensure their safety.
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These AC units were a part of the Air Conditioner Deployment Program created following the passage of Senate Bill 1536 during the 2022 legislative session. The bill allocated $5 million to purchase air conditioners for high-risk Oregonians.
The week NWSDS delivered the AC units, temperatures reached 102 degrees. Multiple staff from across the agency assisted with identifying, making calls, gathering data, delivering units, and setting up units. From volunteers to case managers to our highest levels of management, NWSDS came together to ensure AC units made it to those in need as quickly as possible. The gratitude and relief felt by those who received these units was felt by everyone.
Within days, NWSDS delivered 65 AC units out to our communities. Of these 65 AC unit, 54 were delivered to Marion County consumers and 11 to Yamhill county apartment complex where consumers were facing eviction due to .
Donna (pictured) is one of the NWSDS consumers who received an AC unit. Like many NWSDS consumers, she had never had an air conditioning unit before. At 71 years old with diabetes, neuropathy in her feet, and arthritis, the severe heat causes her feet and ankles to swell and retain fluid making movement extremely difficult and painful.
In the past, she has relied on cold baths for her feet and cold towls for her head and neck, constantly changing them out. This exacerbated the pain and swelling. Living on a very tight, fixed income, there is no way Donna would have ever been able to afford an air conditioning unit on her own. Her NWSDS case manager reached out to her and was able to deliver and install the unit within 48 hours of the Salem NWSDS office receiving it.
The air conditioning unit completely changed her quality of life during heat waves. She no longer has to worry about mobility issues and pain from swelling due to extreme heat. She can live comfortably in her home, and she considers this a huge blessing for her health in her older age.
