Long stretches of hot weather can be especially tough on older people.

That’s why local officials want to make sure that senior citizens know how to keep cool.

Workers from the Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-Purpose Center and the Concordia Parish Council on Aging have been spreading the gospel on keeping hydrated and cool to elderly residents of the Miss-Lou this summer.

The message is simple &045; stay inside during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of fluids and take it easy.

Council on Aging Director Dorothy McDonald had a simple message for seniors: &uot;Just stay in out of the heat.&uot;

McDonald said many seniors come to her organization’s meal sites for food and the chance to relax for a few hours in some air conditioning.

Natchez Senior Center Director Sabrena Bartley said making sure seniors know how to avoid heat-related problems is key.

&uot;When it’s this hot, we offer information on how seniors can cool down,&uot; Bartley said. &uot;We have some tips we’ve learned from past sessions. So far we haven’t had any heat-related problems this year. As always, education is the key. If we can keep them informed, we can keep them alive.&uot;

The Seniors Center always provides a cool place for seniors to come in out of the heat for a while, center Director Sabrena Bartley said.

&uot;It’s always cool here in the senior center,&uot; Bartley said. &uot;We’ve done things like providing some fans to a few seniors who requested them and getting water so they could have it.&uot;

McDonald also advised making sure to stay hydrated.

&uot;Drink lots of water,&uot; McDonald said. &uot;That’s about all you can do.&uot;

Alcorn’s nursing program provides a nurse to help monitor seniors at the center and make sure they are not suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

And of course Bartley always has a secret weapon in her arsenal. &uot;They can always come by here for a cool place and some ice cream when we have it,&uot; she said.