AUSTIN (KXAN) — Older adults face more risks in extreme weather than young people do, and Central Texas is no stranger to extreme weather. Especially extreme heat.
Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, according to the National Weather Service. In 2024, about 177 people died from heat.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that while anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, people 65 years of age and older are among those facing the highest risks. This is because older adults do not adjust very quickly to sudden changes in temperature, they are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes the body’s response to heat, and they are more likely to be on prescription medications that affect the body’s ability to control its temperature or sweat, per the CDC.
The CDC has an interactive HeatRisk Forecast map on its website that shows the level of risk for areas across the US, based on heat and air quality, from “little to none” to “extreme.”
Central Texas resources for seniors
While the summertime does impose a greater risk for our elderly neighbors, Central Texas has several resources available for senior adults.
These services are free or low-cost and are geared toward different aspects of life, but each can ease the burden of responsibilities for seniors and keep them away from risks outside of the home such as extreme heat.
Austin Senior Services Hub:
The Austin Senior Services Hub provides access to several resources for Austin seniors, including affordable senior healthcare, home repair assistance, food pantry services, senior transportation, and senior living activities.
“From senior healthcare options to food assistance programs and emergency services, the Austin Senior Services Hub serves as a guide to the best local services, ensuring that every senior in Austin has the tools to live well and independently,” the webpage said.
AGE of Central Texas:
A regional nonprofit organization that “provides education and support to people all along the spectrum of growing older, no matter where they are on that journey.” Programs include adult day health care, caregiver education and resources, early memory loss support, health equipment lending, and more.
Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACAP):
AAACAP “serves older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers with a variety of services and supports throughout the region.”
The agency provides several services to older adults throughout a 10-county region in Central Texas. Some are federal and state-funded, and include meal delivery programs, advocacy for older adults living in long-term care and assisted-living facilitates, and health and wellness programs.
Cooling Centers:
The city and county operate several cooling centers across the area. A few senior activity centers serve as cooling centers, including the Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center (808 Nile St., Austin), Lamar Senior Activity Center (2874 Shoal Crest Ave., Austin), and South Austin Senior Activity Center (3911 Menchaca Rd., Austin).
A regularly updated map of cooling centers in Austin can be found online.
Meals on Wheels Central Texas:
A “a multi-program lifeline for older adults and people living with disabilities” that serves over 5,000 people across Central Texas with the help of more than 4,000 volunteers, according to its website.
Meals on Wheels has an article about home safety tips for staying cool in the summer. The program said it is “committed to supporting our older neighbors in staying safe and comfortable during the summer. We offer various resources, including senior centers, home repair services, and community programs designed to assist those in need.”
Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive:
On Friday, July 11, the Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive will return. The annual event has been around for 35 years, collecting and distributing fans to homebound adults and those without air conditioning.
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