Last week, the Department of Human Services issued heat wave recommendations for older residents and people taking certain medications.With plenty of summer left to go, these recommendations are good to keep on hand.
NJ Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson urged residents to check on their loved ones and to take steps to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“With heat this high, people at risk should stay in air conditioning as much as possible. It’s imperative that people decrease their outdoor activity, drink a lot of liquids, and seek out cool places,” Johnson said.
“Extended exposure to the heat can be a significant health risk, and in some cases even fatal, especially for older adults.”
People taking medicine for certain mental health conditions should continue taking their prescribed medicines but check with their healthcare provider about the possible risk of heat-related complications.
“We need to check up on older adults, individuals with disabilities and people taking certain medications to ensure their safety,” the Commissioner said.
“We encourage our older residents to make sure they have water on hand at all times and to seek out air-conditioned places to spend the hottest part of each day,” said Division of Aging Services Director Louise Rush.
If heat stroke is suspected, call 911, move the person into a cooler area, and help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths.
The Cumberland County Department of Aging and Disabled has established its 2019 Cooling Center locations throughout the county.
“Agencies that open their doors to senior citizens and disabled persons during hot weather are known as Cooling Centers,” says Executive Director Barbara A. Nedohon. These facilities will operate as “Cooling Centers” when the temperature reaches 90 degrees or above for two consecutive days, or the heat index reaches 100 degrees or above, as a period of heat alert.
Cumberland County Freeholder Carol Musso stated, “We are very pleased to make such a wide array of facilities available throughout our county to help our seniors, our disabled and those with extreme vulnerability to heat, stay cool during the summer months.”
2019 CUMBERLAND COUNTY COOLING CENTERS
• Bridgeton Free Public Library, 150 E. Commerce St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302; Clevell Roseboro, Director; 856-451-2620; Open Tuesday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.–
4 p.m.
• Charlotte Brago Senior Center, 736 Landis Ave., Rosenhayn, NJ 08352; Melissa Exten, Director; 856-455-6902; Open Monday–Wednesday, 10 a.m.–3 pm., Thursday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Cumberland County Library, 800 E. Commerce St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302; Susanne Sacchetti, Director; 856-453-2210, ext. 26117; Monday–Wednesday, 10 a.m.–
8 p.m. Thursday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Cumberland County Office on Aging & Disabled Outreach Office, 800 E. Commerce St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302; Caroline Holder, Outreach Program Coordinator; 856-453-2220; Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
• Edgar Joyce Senior Center, 1323 Highway 77, Seabrook, NJ 08302; Sherry Dixon, Director; 856-451-5649; Monday, 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Thursday,
10 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Fairfield Township Senior Center, 70 Fairton-Gouldtown Rd., P.O. Box 240 Fairton, NJ 08320; Florine Jones, Director; 856-451-9284, ext. 315; Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday,
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Jean Rugenus Multi-Purpose Senior Center (Nutrition Program for the Elderly, Burt St. & Babe Ruth Rd., Bridgeton, NJ 08302; Jvonna Bard, Site Manager, 856-455-4323; Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m.
• Lawrence Township Senior Citizen Center, 14 Mulford Dr., Cedarville, NJ 08311; Nancy Pizzo, Director; 856-447-1000; Open Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m–
3 p.m.
•Louise Moore Senior Center, 8879 Highland St., Haleyville, NJ 08332 (Mail address: Port Norris NJ 08349); Cindy Tawes, Director; 856-785-9817; Open Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Maurice River Township Senior Center, 590 Main St., Leesburg, NJ 08327; Donna Jacoby, Director; 856-785-0325; Open Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
• Millville Center – Genesis HealthCare Corp., 54 Sharp St., Millville, NJ 08332; Gregory Marks, Administrator, 856-327-2700; Open Sunday–Saturday,
8 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Millville Public Library, 210 Buck St., Millville, NJ 08332; Courteney Reece, Director; 825-7087; Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–7:45 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m.; Saturdays in July and August, Closed Saturday of Labor Day weekend.
• Millville Sharing Center (Nutrition Program for the Elderly), 130 S. Second St., Millville, NJ 08332; Whitney Elwell, Site Manager; 856-825-8779; Open Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Vineland Public Library, 1058 East Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360; 856-794-4244; Monday–Wednesday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m–7 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Vineland (Fiorilli) Senior Center, 6th & Elmer sts., Vineland, NJ 08360; Mary Barner, Director; 856-794-4074; Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Vineland Sharing Center (Nutrition Program for the Elderly), Tarkiln Acres Community Hall, Tarkiln Dr., Vineland, NJ 08360; Carol Wilson, Site Manager; 856-692-8289; Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m.
• West Cumberland Senior Center, 10 Cassidy Court, Bridgeton, NJ 08302; Jean Trembley, Director; 856-455-1055; Monday–Friday, 9 a.m–3 p.m.
• Downe Township Senior Center, 288 Main Street, Newport, NJ 08345; Annette Perry, Director; 856-447-3039. Hours scheduled by need and activity.
