{"id":15768,"date":"2020-11-18T09:00:56","date_gmt":"2020-11-18T14:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=15768"},"modified":"2022-10-09T06:41:27","modified_gmt":"2022-10-09T10:41:27","slug":"homeless-people-face-hypothermia-every-winter-heres-how-you-can-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/homeless-people-face-hypothermia-every-winter-heres-how-you-can-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Homeless People Face Hypothermia Every Winter. Here\u2019s How You Can Help"},"content":{"rendered":"
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One of the most concerning realities for homeless individuals living outdoors or who have unstable living conditions is hypothermia. Hypothermia can set in<\/a> even at moderately warm temperatures in certain conditions. But living outdoors means homeless individuals often face far worse than moderate cold.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Nicholls, program manager for the single men\u2019s and family shelters at Cornerstone Community Outreach, said hypothermia is a major threat for community members in unstable living situations. CCO is based in Chicago, which in 2017 reached record-breaking cold stretches below 20 degrees Farenheit for days. At least two days wind chills<\/a> were between -25 degrees and -40 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n

Nicholls shared several experiences working with homeless individuals affected by frostbite and hypothermia with Invisible People<\/em>. One man Nicholls has known for years through CCO recently asked him for a dollar when they met on the street. As Nicholls gave it to him, he noticed the man no longer had fingers on his right hand. When he asked the man what happened, he replied simply, \u201cfrostbite.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nicholls also spoke of a CCO community member who had puffy fingers as long as Nicholls knew him. Nicholls said the shelter once called an ambulance for the man after worrying he was succumbing to hypothermia. Since then, he has been in a nursing home and his fingers have returned to normal size.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s housed and looking great,\u201d Nicholls said.<\/p>\n

In the summer, CCO acts as a cooling center for unhoused people. For the long, Midwestern winters, the facility adapts to become a warming center.<\/h4>\n

Shelter workers continue outreach, picking people up and transporting them to shelter, giving out supplies and coats, and even train cards so more people have access to transportation.<\/p>\n

Nicholls said COVID will greatly impact the shelter\u2019s ability to help people this winter. Social distancing is difficult in tight spaces, like a cafeteria, and many seeking shelter at CCO are older and immunocompromised.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith COVID and the need for social distancing, I don’t know how we’re going to be able to tackle this,\u201d Nicholls said. \u201cWe’ll have the supplies to help and prevent, but space will be\/is an issue.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Nicholls said community members can intervene in hypothermia cases and support shelters and homeless individuals. Winter donations of socks, hand-warmers, feet warmers, gloves, coats, boots, either to shelters or directly to homeless individuals, can help, as can buying people coffee and a warm meal. Nicholls also said if you see someone showing signs of hypothermia, like shaking uncontrollably, and have no way to warm them up, the best solution is to call 911 immediately.<\/p>\n

Signs of hypothermia include:<\/p>\n