From Reuters:
“Care for
elderly stepped up as Italy swelters in driest year ever”
(Angelo
Casciano, 79, sits at home by a fan as he receives a package of items from
volunteers providing food and drink for the elderly, as part of the Heat Plan
during a heatwave in Milan, Italy, August 5, 2022.)
Volunteers
delivered food and medicines to elderly people living alone in Milan on Friday,
as another heatwave swept through northern Italy in what is the country's
driest year since records began. The "City Angels" service operates
all year but has been stepped up over the baking summer as Milan officials look
to prevent vulnerable people from leaving their homes in high temperatures. On
Friday, temperatures were expected to top 37 Celsius (98 Fahrenheit) and remain
elevated on Saturday before the prospect of some welcome rain on Sunday. This
year has so far been the driest since records began in 1800, according to
monthly data from the National Research Council's climate unit.
Rainfall is
down by 46% across the country, with the north including Milan worst affected.
Water levels in the river Po, which crosses northern Italy from the Alps to the
Adriatic and helps to irrigate crops, have fallen significantly. Domenico
Giuliani, a City Angels volunteer, said there had been an increase in requests
for help because the elderly often did not have air conditioning and fans
provided little respite. Milan resident Giancarla Meazzi, 80, said she copes
with the heat by drinking a lot of fluids, taking walks in the courtyard of her
home and sitting out on her terrace, but not during the hottest hours of the
day. "This summer (the heat) has made me feel crazy," added Angelo
Casciano, 79, as he received his box of food.
^ Sadly, the
Elderly (and the Disabled) around the world are suffering from all of this Heat.
It’s nice to see others doing what they can to help them. ^
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