By Wednesday, the thermometer on her first floor read 92. Randolph said she spent her time upstairs near an air conditioner.
With Philadelphia's heat breaking records this week, reaching the 100s before cooling off Thursday, the elderly, especially those with chronic medical conditions, are at high risk for heat-related illness and death. A West Philadelphia woman, 92, died Monday, the city's fifth heat-related death this summer.
The VNA has almost 1,500 homebound patients, half on Medicare. They are acute, chronically ill, and hospice patients. One-third live alone, and 70 percent are minorities.
When the weather gets unbearable, Coleman, a registered nurse for 30 years, worries most about her patients who had congestive heart failure or need kidney dialysis, she said.
Many are on water pills, which prevent fluid retention by ridding the body of excess salt and water. They can dehydrate people, leading to low blood pressure, fainting, and dizziness. The heat can also make them drink too much water, increasing fluid retention.
"Either way, you're going to the hospital," Coleman said.
For Randolph, the heat was not as much a danger because of her second-floor air conditioner. But she hadn't been taking her prescribed drugs for diabetes and hypertension, among others.
Randolph promised she'd get with the program, which includes uncaffeinated soda.
On a typical day, Coleman visits five or six patients, tracking about 30 at any time. Working for the association's chronic-care unit, she has gained the trust of patients such as Kitty Sass.
"Monica, it's about time you got here," said Sass, 90, who lives near Randolph in East Oak Lane. "You're the only person who can save me."
Sass is a woman who lives up to her name even though she's legally blind and can't leave the house by herself. To get out, she needs someone like Coleman, who comes by three times a week.
