Aging in a Place with a Warming Climate

October 23, 2024

 

 

Aging populations—particularly in areas prone to extreme heat—are facing unique residential challenges. In the past 10 years, extreme heat has killed more people in the United States (U.S.) than all other weather hazards combined, and it is expected to get hotter, with extreme heat events predicted to happen more often in the future. People over the age of 65 are disproportionately represented as the majority of heat victims, and are likely to perish in their own homes during these events. In addition to advancing our understanding of aging in places with extreme heat, this presentation will offer two pieces of applied materials: A residential guide/handout for the general public that combines mitigation for both extreme heat and age-friendly design, as well as a policy research brief promoting the future development of energy efficient and age-friendly housing.