St. Albert seniors need to upgrade their homes if they want to manage the smoke, fire, and heat coming their way due to global heating, says a panel of experts.
The Alberta Capital Airshed is hosting a free online talk Jan. 28 on supporting seniors in a changing climate. The ACA operates the St. Albert air quality monitoring station and holds regular free talks on air quality issues.
“Climate change and air quality are really closely linked,” noted ACA engagement co-ordinator Salina Fairbank, as hotter temperatures lead to more frequent and intense wildfires and wildfire smoke.
Fairbank said next week’s talk will feature a panel of experts who will discuss how global heating affects the health of seniors and what they can do to protect themselves from extreme weather.
Seniors at risk
Panellist and Evergreens Foundation CAO Kristen Chambers manages more than a dozen seniors’ lodges and apartments in west-central Alberta, many of which have had to be evacuated due to wildfires in the last three years. One such facility was destroyed in last year’s Jasper wildfire.
Wildfire smoke keeps seniors indoors and prevents them from living their lives, Chambers said. Some have dementia, and may be confused and afraid during wildfire events.
“A lot of seniors have respiratory issues,” she continued, and need additional medical care when smoke blows in.
Wildfires spew plenty of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) into the air, and that pollutant has been linked to heart and lung disease as well as cognitive decline, Fairbank said. Global heating also results in heat waves, the risks from which seniors with dementia might not recognize until it’s too late.
Chambers said seniors’ home managers have had to step up their game to manage climate risks. The Evergreens Foundation was now adding air conditioning to all its facilities and had partnered with the West Central Airshed Society to place air quality monitors atop all its buildings. In addition to hosting talks on air quality, many of the foundation’s buildings now have cloud-shaped lamps that change colour based on the local Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) to teach residents about air quality.
Science and technology can help seniors protect themselves from climate risks. N95 masks, HEPA filters, and homemade Corsi-Rosenthal boxes can all improve indoor air quality during wildfires, Fairbank noted. Seniors can monitor air pollution levels by checking the AQHI and shelter from the heat in air-conditioned public buildings such as libraries.
Chambers said seniors homes operators need to upgrade filtration systems and create strategies to keep residents cool during heat waves if the power goes out. They also have to have seniors prepare one-week emergency kits in case of a wildfire evacuation.
“You’re always going to be the last one back into a community,” she said, as so many community services have to be restored before a senior can return.
Dave Patterson, a retired St. Albert forester who has done extensive research on climate change for the Alberta government (and was not affiliated with next week’s talk) said he has added insulation, air conditioning, and triple-pane windows to his home to guard against wildfires and extreme heat, both of which aggravate his heart and lung issues. He encouraged Albertans to reduce their use of fossil fuels to directly address global heating.
The free talk runs from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 28 on Zoom, and will be archived on the ACA’s website. Visit capitalairshed.ca for details.
