The Santa Clarita Senior Center has acted as a potentially life-saving resource for the local elder population during the valley’s latest heat waves, as seniors are especially susceptible to heat-related illness and even death, senior center officials said Monday.

“The SCV Senior Center has been designated as a Cooling Station by Los Angeles County; that means anyone can come in here, a senior or anyone else, to come out of the heat. We have water if people need it and we’re open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” shared Kevin MacDonald, the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center’s executive director.

That access is especially important for the Santa Clarita senior population.

“As we age, our bodies become less able to self-regulate temperature – and that means that seniors, in particular, are at increased risk for heat stroke, heat exhaustion and associated death. People 65 and older are actually several times more likely to pass away due to heat-related cardiovascular disease than the rest of the population,” explained Christopher Avelino, MD, chairman of medicine for Facey Medical Group and Senior Center board member.

Avelino continued, “When a younger person walks outside during Santa Clarita’s summers, they may be uncomfortable – but for seniors, extreme heat like the temperatures the SCV experiences can not only lead to dangerous heat-related illnesses but also contribute to strokes and heart attacks.”

“We know that heat is the nation’s leading weather-related problem – but we also know that deaths caused by high temperatures, especially in the senior population, can be prevented with community support,” said Peggy Rasmussen, the center’s New Building Campaign co-chair.

Rasmussen continued, “The SCV Senior Center has provided respite from heat waves for over 40 years. When temperatures climb, the SCV Senior Center is the first responder for our local seniors, providing them with a safe, cool place to wait out the hottest part of the day. While they’re at the Center, many enjoy a healthy, nutritious meal; take a fitness or art class; and visit with friends. The Center staff and volunteers are incredible; they provide all of these services in a space that is limiting.”

Demand will only climb, center officials added, since local studies estimate a dramatic increase in Santa Clarita’s future senior population.

“We need a place to stay out of the heat; it’s just way too hot out there for a lot of us,” says Maria Lopez, age 60. “We need a place to socialize, which is what we have here [at the current Center], but there aren’t places to sit and talk. We need more seating, more space, more rooms for classes, a place to sit and have coffee with our friends. Right now, right after lunch at the Center, we have to go so they can use the space for something else. It will be wonderful to have a new building with a big room to just relax, stay cool in the summer, and talk to our friends.”

“When we experience increased demand like we are now, the need for the new SCV Senior Center building becomes all the more obvious. The new building will have dedicated communal space – we’re calling it ‘the living room’ – where seniors can casually relax and take respite from the weather while developing their social relationships. Instead of having seniors sitting in hallway chairs struggling to hear their conversational partners, we’ll have couches, lounge chairs, tables and plenty of space to be comfortable and stay cool,” says MacDonald.

“All of this becomes possible when we conclude our fundraising campaign for the new building,” says Rasmussen. “Right now, we have $1.75 million remaining that needs to be raised before we can break ground. We’ve come so far from the original $11.4 million required and we’re now looking to the community for support to close the gap. Our seniors need to be comfortable, safe and healthy year-round and the new building will play a vital role in achieving that.”

The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center New Building Campaign is currently soliciting donations and community partnerships. Donations can be made online here; by writing a check to SCVCOA-Building Fund (Memo: Capital Campaign) and mailing it to 22900 Market Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321; calling in a credit-card donation to the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center (661-259-9444) or working with Executive Director MacDonald to arrange gifts of stock, securities and more (661-259-9444, extension 123). Building naming opportunities, commemorative plaques and more are available and donations are tax deductible.

ABOUT THE NEW SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SENIOR CENTER

The 2.5-acre site of the new building can be found on Golden Valley Road in Santa Clarita and will serve Santa Clarita’s growing senior population and those who love them. Exciting additions to the new Center include an expanded Adult Day Program, Health & Wellness Center, Employment and Financial Centers; Culinary Arts Kitchen; multi-purpose rooms; a “living room” with fireplace and socialization area; and much more.

Ed. Note: This above information was provided to KHTS by the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center.