While most of the Bay Area sweltered in record heat, there were real concerns about the safety of vulnerable seniors who may not have air conditioning.
In Livermore, where temperatures were expected to reach at least 104 degrees, volunteers from the Alameda County Meals on Wheels program conducted wellness checks on their clients as they delivered their daily meals.
“I have 12 clients,” said volunteer Deanna Steinhauer. “We try to get it done between 10 and 12 o’clock. I’m very grateful that we do it early in the morning because then I can get out of the heat.”
On a scorching hot day like Wednesday, most people only went out if absolutely necessary. But that’s how Steinhauer feels about her job as a delivery person for Meals on Wheels.
“Some people will say in the winter we will be the only person coming to check on them,” Steinhauer said.
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On Wednesday winter seemed far away. Even in an affluent city like Livermore, there are older homes without air conditioning. Judy Ricks lives in one of them. For the past few days, she had relied on a ceiling fan and an old window cooler to stay cool.
“But it didn’t go very well, so wet towels do help,” Ricks said. “You wet that and put it over you for a while and then you can take it off and dry it.”
The volunteers do more than just deliver food. They offer a welcome visit to seniors who are often alone a lot. Being able to show her beautiful crocheted tablecloths to Deanna helped warm Judy’s heart, knowing that someone cared.
“Thank you very much!” Judy said as Deanna left. “God, I love you.”
Back on the road, Deanna said if seniors are bothered by the heat, chances are no one will ever know.
“They just don’t want to complain,” she said. “And if they are tenants, they don’t want to complain to their landlords because they might get their rent increased.”
The next stop was at a house in the countryside, where Viola Jensen will celebrate her 100th birthday next week.
“I made it!” she said laughing.
Jensen’s home is air-conditioned and she has full-time care, so she counted her blessings.
“I stay calm enough to… I don’t know what to do, but stay out of trouble, I guess,” she said.
The last delivery was to 82-year-old Joseph Fioretti. He lives with his cat in a house that only has a few fans and a window AC in one room. He said that before Meals on Wheels, he only ate eggs and bland sandwiches.
“I don’t like boiling eggs on a hot day. It’s the bullshit sandwich!” he said.
The sidewalk looked pretty warm on Wednesday.
“You know, you could probably fry an egg!” he exclaimed.
Fioretti said he hoped to live in the house for the rest of his days.
“But these heat waves, I’m done with them,” he said. “Winter, come! Come here, winter!”
Steinhauer only delivers one day a week, but her customers have become family. They want to maintain their independence and she is there to help them do that… even on a day when being on the road can be quite brutal.
Meals on Wheels is always looking for more volunteers. If you are interested, look up your local chapter online for more information.
