The Commission will oversee the execution of the outlined plan.
**Rising Heatwaves and Older Adults: Bergisch Gladbach Tackles the Challenge**
*Bergisch Gladbach, Germany - July 9th*
In the face of increasing heatwaves due to climate change, the city of Bergisch Gladbach is taking action to protect its elderly population. On July 9th, the Senior Council's Stammtisch will feature a lecture titled "Elderly people and heat - What matters now." Ragnar Migenda, First Deputy Mayor, and Natalie Tawamba Tessa, Climate Protection Manager of the city, will be in attendance.
The event, which will take place at Wirtshaus Am Bock from 3 PM to 4:30 PM, aims to foster discussion and provide practical solutions for heat-related issues in the elderly population.
Older adults are more susceptible to the effects of heat due to reduced ability to regulate body temperature, chronic health conditions, and the use of medications that impair heat tolerance. Extreme heat can silently accelerate aging at a molecular level, making targeted protection crucial.
Bergisch Gladbach, like many regions, is experiencing more frequent and severe heatwaves. Heat stress is compounded by high humidity, making it harder for sweat to evaporate and increasing risks of heat exhaustion and stroke. Elderly individuals may lack access to air conditioning, shade, or cooling centers, making them especially at risk.
Addressing these challenges requires both individual strategies and community-level solutions. The lecture will provide general information and tips on coping with heat due to climate change, such as staying cool indoors, finding cool public spaces, staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity, checking on others, and utilizing community resources.
In addition, the city is advocating for home improvements, such as insulation, window shades, or energy-efficient cooling systems, and encouraging the creation of more green spaces and public cooling options. The lecture is open to citizens interested in discussing heat in old age and is part of the Senior Council's ongoing efforts to support the city's elderly population.
By combining personal precautions with community resources, older adults in Bergisch Gladbach can better protect themselves from the increasing dangers of heatwaves brought on by climate change. The city encourages all citizens to attend the lecture and to stay informed about heat alerts and local resources.
- To mitigate the impact of climate change on the elderly population, the city of Bergisch Gladbach is focusing on environmental-science strategies, especially in relation to heat-related issues.
- The health-and-wellness of older adults may be particularly affected during heatwaves due to their reduced ability to regulate body temperature, chronic health conditions, and medications that impair heat tolerance.
- In response to the threat of climate change and its effects on heatwaves, Bergisch Gladbach is advocating for community-level solutions, such as home improvements for energy efficiency and the creation of more green spaces and public cooling options.
