Street-Smart Tips for Staying Cool When the Temp Hits 90+!

Here we go again: The forecast for today and the next couple of days is for temps in the 90s!

How do you stay cool when it gets so hot, especially when you’re out in the street?  We put this question to our field team members who provide care in all kinds of weather, day in and day out, to our patients, members and clients in across New York City, Westchester and Long Island.

Here are a few street-smart tips for staying cool from our team members out in the community…

Freeze water in a water bottle

“I freeze water in a water bottle overnight. I also like to add lemon or cucumber in the water to give it a little taste. I’ll also wear a light-colored t-shirt when I’m outside and then put on my VNS Health-branded top when I arrive at the client’s home.”

Lenis McGarrell-Changlee
Home Health Aide, Personal Care

Wear shorts and a breathable shirt

“I wear shorts and a breathable VNS Health-branded shirt is a must! I also drink a lot of ice water.”

Phil Leon
RN, Home Care

Keep a cooler in your car stocked with water and fruit

“I drive around Queens to see my patients, so I keep a cooler in my car that I keep stocked with water and fruit. In between patient visits, I always make sure to have a good drink of water. I also try to park in a spot with the most shade and I wear light-colored clothes.”

Emil Bimbo Bergado
Senior Physical Therapist, Home Care

Monitor the sun’s movement and use “cooling towels”

“As part of Community Outreach for the Health Plans, we’re outdoors in the community all day long, setting up our tables and parking the community outreach vehicles (COVs). We try to find a shady spot to set the table up and then we monitor the sun as it moves across the sky. As the sun shifts, we shift as well to stay out of the direct sun. We also use ‘cooling towels’ to stay cool. These are special towels that, if you soak them in cool water for a few minutes, will give you about 4 hours of cooling relief. And we make sure the team continually checks how they’re feeling. We want to make sure the heat doesn’t sneak up on any of us.”

Hondo Martinez , Director, Community Outreach, Health Plans

Stop in a café for some electrolytes to recharge

“In Mobile Crisis we work in teams, so we look out for each other. While we are always prioritizing our clients, it’s also important that my partner and I prioritize ourselves. When it gets hot, we’ll stop in a cafe for a 15-minute break for some electrolytes to recharge.”

Adeline Mannino
Psychiatric Social Worker, Adult Mobile Crisis, Behavioral Health

Use a small oscillator fan

“I’m part of the Health Plans team that works an outdoor table. To stay cool, I use a portable, wireless, small fan that oscillates. I place it on the table or ground while I’m working. I also stay hydrated.  Fortunately, we have an electric unit cooler inside the Health Plans community outreach vehicle that keeps the water cold.”

Colleen Smith
Community Liaison, Medicare Advantage, Health Plans

Use icepacks to cool down

“I keep a cooler in my car that I fill with ice packs and water so I can stay hydrated. When I feel too hot, I use the ice packs on my body to help cool me down. If I feel a headache coming on late in the afternoon, it is likely a signal that I need more water. You need to be sure to take care of yourself.”

Adrianna Anguili
Hospice Social Worker