Hot Time in the City

Summer has arrived and it is hot already!

Senior citizens and the chronically ill are often more vulnerable to the effects of high temperatures because they perspire less and are more likely to be taking medications that can impair the body's response to heat.

Those medications include antihistamines, heart drugs, over-the-counter sleeping pills, antidepressants, antipsychotics, major tranquilizers and some medications for Parkinson's disease. People should check with their doctor or pharmacist to find out if their medications make them more sensitive to heat.

Seniors on fixed incomes often do not have air conditioning or feel they cannot afford the expense of running it. Fulton County has several neighborhood senior centers that people can visit to avoid the heat. Check out our website for info.

Because many senior citizens live alone, everyone should check on elderly family members and neighbors regularly to be sure they are not suffering from the effects of the heat. If you suspect that someone is having health issues related to the heat, get them to a cooler place; keep them hydrated with water, and call 911.

-- by Steve Hargrove
Director of Events and Marketing

How are we doing?

My son thankfully finished his final exams of the school year. (And thankfully, passed all his courses!) He asked me about the kinds of questions that I receive on a daily basis at SCS, and then asked me if SCS has “passing” grades. This dialogue leads me to ask you, our readers and constituents: how are we doing?

On this web site, or by the conventional telephone(!), we are eager and ready to receive your feedback about how we’re doing to serve our various SCS stakeholders. So, here are some “final exam” questions for you as we approach the end of our 44th fiscal year on June 30th:

1. Do we communicate with you often enough about the happenings at SCS?
2. What do you like most about our web site, and how can we improve?
3. Have you volunteered with us recently, and what was your experience?
4. What senior services do you believe we should begin that we currently do not have?


Call or write with questions, comments, or our final marks from you! Thanks, and have a great summer.

- by Brad Catherman, Vice President for Gift Planning

New Pantry Program for Seniors – Meals in Motion

SCS is proud to announce the launch of a new sub-program of Meals On Wheels Atlanta – Meals in Motion, a food pantry program.

The objective of this program is to provide current Meals On Wheels Atlanta clients the choice to select the standard, nutritious prepared meals or if they have the capability to cook for themselves from the provided grocery bags of food for the week.

SCS will subsidize this program through the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB), but ACFB does not always have all the necessary types of food needed to sustain our program. Therefore, we will be reaching out to churches, other nonprofits, civic groups, and businesses to host Food Drives. (If interested in hosting a Food Drive, contact Yolanda Walker at 404-351-3889 ext. 250).

What a great way to get involved – simply host a Food Drive that benefits low-income seniors in Atlanta.

-- by Patrick O'Kane
Director of Operations