DECATUR - Bettye Bondurant has asthma and has had congestive heart failure, but she avoids turning on her air conditioning because she does not want to heat up her outstanding power bill.

"I only turn on the air when I really have to," she said Friday, pouring frozen bottled water into her cup. She later said, "When you get on a fixed income, you learn to adjust. You have to put your priorities in order."

Living without air conditioning be ;cause of cost is a common theme. This month's heat and humidity, however, pose a health risk for those with chronic conditions and for the elderly. The body's cooling system becomes less efficient with age, according to the Illinois Department on Aging.

Gwen Karr delivers meals to seniors in their homes through the Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corp. Elderly Services. When visiting seniors without air conditioning, she reminds them it's important to eat. Drinking plenty of water and eating light meals, especially fresh fruit, can help them stay cool and hydrated.

Feeling hot, however, often stifles hunger, said Barb Coffey, a registered nurse and agency director for Addus HealthCare skilled division. She recommends cold foods, such ice cream or Jell-O, to clients.

Staying hydrated can also help maintain potassium levels, which Coffey said are important because they can cause heart problems if they fall too high or too low.

"When they perspire a lot, they lose more of the potassium then they're taking in," Coffey said. "That causes leg cramps, hand cramps. The main thing for them to do is to try to keep from perspiring. The elderly should not be out doing things in their yards during the day."

Often, seniors don't realize they're dehydrated until it's too late, said Glenna Parish, who visits her clients of the Macon County Health Department's Senior Services Medication Management program. She reminds clients to drink one cup of water every hour.

"Seniors don't have the thirst mechanism," she said. "They don't have a reserve of water, minerals and calories."

As a result, older people also don't realize how hot they are, said Marilee Peters, an adult nurse practitioner with Dr. Anthony McCormack's office.

"Normally, our bodies can cool down by sweating," Peters said, "but in extreme heat, the body can lose its ability to regulate temperature. The sweating function fails, and body temperature rises rapidly, resulting in heat stroke."

Heat stroke is a serious medical condition that can damage the brain and other organs, even cause death.

Families, caretakers and neighbors can help seniors avoid heat stress, especially those with heart problems, diabetes or Alzheimer's, said Patricia Rankin, agency director of Addus HealthCare.

"Look for changes in the client's physical and or mental condition," she said. "If a senior is normally alert and does well, and then you walk in and they're suddenly lethargic, this could be a sign that they're overheated, they're dehydrated, their blood sugar levels could be off. Any sudden change is probably an alert there's a medical issue, and you need to follow up on it."

Monitoring medication is also important in case seniors cannot leave their homes in the heat.

Bondurant ensures she has at least one week's of prescription refills on hand and has her prescriptions delivered to her home by Victory Pharmacy at no extra cost. To keep cool, she also keeps the blinds closed, doors open and two fans running. Her granddaughter, Kassie Perry, said putting a bowl of ice in front of the fan helps blow some cool air. They also seek relief from the heat in their church and public library.

Bethany Carson can be reached at bcarson@;herald-review.com or 421-6968.