Phila. agency reaches out to vulnerable during heat wave

During the region’s first heat wave, officials are reminding people to check in on the sick and elderly.

The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging is activating its heat-line, which means trained medical personnel will be available to help people who are having trouble coping with the hot weather.

Chris Gallagher of PCA said people should check in on the sick and elderly.

“The first real heat of the summer is always a concern because people aren’t used to it. No one’s really used to it, but it affects seniors even more with certain medication with ailments things like that,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher added the temperature inside people’s homes is sometimes higher than that of the outside air But residents are sometimes reluctant to turn on air conditioning or they might not have unpacked fans from winter storage.

The number for the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s heat-line is 215-765-9040.