Elderly advocates expand program center

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As the heat wave continues, it's especially hard on the elderly. One of their biggest advocates, Family Eldercare , finished construction on their new digs. The new program center is in Northeast Austin at 1700 Rutherford Lane.

Angela Atwood, Family Eldercare CEO, said the biggest change is the amount of space that gives them the ability to expand their services to a growing population here in Central Texas.

“The Austin, Round Rock metropolitan area is the fastest growing older adult population in the nation," said Atwood.

Family Eldercare provides in-home care, money management and guardianship services. The orgainzation is in the planning stage for a new institute that would offer training for health care, legal and social work professionals.

"We have a real deficit in this country and in this community of professionals who are trained to be sensitive to the needs of folks as they age," said Atwood.

Phase two for the new building includes making environmental conscience changes, like solar panel and zero-scaping, to earn LEED certification. The project will cost $335,000.

Family Eldercare’s biggest outreach program, though, is the Summer Fan Drive. Already this summer, they’ve delivered 5,000 fans. They need at least 1,000 more donations.

"With all these triple digit days we’re seeing and likely to be a record breaking summer, we need the community’s help more than ever," said Atwood.

Dr. John Bedoloa, Seton Medical Center , said a diminished sense of thirst, a cocktail of medications and decreased kidney function put the elderly at higher risk for heat illnesses.

"I think the elderly are tougher than the average person and they tend to tough things out a lot longer," said Bedoloa.

A new study from Kent State University also indicated that point that view. They found 90 percent of older Americans understood there was a heat threat but only 50 percent change their behavior.

Bedoloa said dehydration isn't always obvious.

"When you first start getting dehydrated you get an adrenaline rush and you don’t feel sick and so you can underestimate how sick you can get," said Bedoloa.

In fact, according to Seton Medical Center, some ER patients coming in for one thing this summer, also have kidney damage and don't even know they're dehydrated. Anytime the temperature reaches body temperature, the only way to cool down is to sweat.

Bedoloa recommended checking your tongue for signs of dehydration. If it’s dry, you need to hydrate more.

"It seems like its something out of a comic book to look at your tongue in the mirror but actually if your tongue is very dry you’re very dry in general," said Dr. Bedoloa.

Family Eldercare hosted an open house Thursday evening.