Seniors well being during heat wave a top priority for Veiner Centre

By James Tubb on July 20, 2024.

Anna Smith

With the weather continuing to show off temperatures above 30 degrees, the Unison at Veiner Centre is encouraging seniors to visit and spend time indoors.

Elderly members of the community are more susceptible to heat, said Larry Matheison, President and CEO of Unison for Generations 50+, also known within the city as Unison at Viener Centre, not only due to age, but as a side effect of some of their medications or health conditions.

“We’ve kind of had a couple of reports, both in Medicine Hat and Calgary where people are kind of struggling with the temperature,” said Matheison.

Currently, they are encouraging those who may have trouble with the temperatures in their homes to visit the Veiner Centre, as he notes the air conditioning there is quite good and may allow for some needed relief.

As a precaution, they have moved some of their planned outdoor activities inside, to help beat the heat and keep their visitors safer, and have been asking their volunteers to keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion or illness when visiting seniors.

“We are kind of setting up some hydration stations in the building, as well,” said Math. “We are definitely encouraging seniors to come participate in some of our indoor activities at Veiner. This week and next week instead of our outdoor ones.”

Matheison notes that their Rodeo Street Dance, with band Mixed Company tonight, has been moved inside for the safety of attendees due to the temperature. The dance, intended to welcome Stampede Week to the city, does require registration, and will run from 6:30pm 10:30pm.