Fan breezes help seniors breathe in heat

Thanks to the generosity of donors, East Raleigh resident Dedra Offei received a free fan Thursday, the day before a predicted four-day stretch of 100-degree-plus temperatures.

"Just a little bit more air means it's a little bit easier for me to breath," Offei said. "I'm just thankful. I'm really blessed."

Resources, tips to survive the heat

Offei suffers from congestive heart failure, and the back bedroom in her Friar Tuck Lane home gets stuffy in the summer.

"Starting around 11 (a.m.) or 12 (p.m.), you just get to gasping for air, huffing and puffing," she said.

"Some of our seniors may have health conditions that require them to be in cool environments," Moreland said.

"Especially people with a heat-sensitive medical condition, even though the fan doesn't cool the house like an air conditioner, it circulates the air, and that can help a great deal," said Crystal Black, adult services director for the Cumberland County Department of Social Services.

The fans can be cool relief for seniors fallen on hard times.

"The AC might go out, and they might not have the money to repair it, so the fan program does help to keep them cool," Moreland said.

A lobby at the Cumberland County social services building, 1224 Ramsey St., and the Durham Rescue Mission, 1201 E. Main St., are also open for people who don't have air conditioning.