Fulton County Senior Facilities Serve as Cooling Centers on Weekdays during Extreme Heat

Fulton County’s Aging and Youth Services Department, Senior Multipurpose Facilities are open to serve as Cooling Centers for seniors in need of a cooler environment.  The facilities are available to ensure the health and safety of seniors during days when temperatures are expected to rise as high as 100 degrees or more.

The four Senior Multipurpose Facilities are available from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to seniors living in Fulton County.  Aging and Youth Service staff members urge seniors without air conditioning to visit one of the four Senior Multipurpose Facilities. 

Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Facility
6500 Vernon Woods Dr.
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
404-613-4900 (Office)

H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose Facility
2885 Church Street
East Point, GA 30344
404-762-4821 (Office)

Harriett G. Darnell Senior Multipurpose Facility
677 Fairburn Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30331
404-613-8580 (Office)

Helene S. Mills Senior Multipurpose Facility
515 John Wesley Dobbs
Atlanta, GA   30312
404-523-3353 (Office)

The Atlanta Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA) offers the following tips to help seniors and County residents to cope with extreme heat:

• Stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
• Familiarize yourself with the medical conditions that can result from over-exposure to heat, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke to help lessen health threats and harm.
• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat and take frequent breaks.
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
• Make sure pets have plenty of water and shade.  Be careful not over-exercise them and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot.

Closely monitor a local radio station, TV station or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest information on excessive heat watches and warnings.  For more information about. Emergency Preparedness in Fulton County, contact AFCEMA at 404-730-5600.

Citizens in need of reasonable accommodations due to a disability, including communications in an alternative format, should contact the Disability Liaison at 404-613-7944. To obtain Georgia Relay Access, citizens should dial 711.

Registration is Open for 22nd Annual Fulton Golden Games

Active older adults 50 and over can demonstrate their fitness and enjoy the warmer temperatures of spring during the 22nd Annual Fulton Golden Games. Registration is now open for local residents who want to participate in the games, which begin April 27, 2016 and continue through May 26, 2016. Registrants pay a $20 registration fee, which includes the cost of a t-shirt and opening day picnic lunch. Registered seniors can take part in all of the event's competitive games. Residents can download the registration packet here or pick one up at any Fulton County senior multipurpose facility or senior centers. Nearly 400 participants registered for the Golden Games last year. The deadline for registration is March 29. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m., on April 27, 2016 at Bell Memorial Park in Milton located at 15245 Bell Park Road in Milton. Track and field events, including a one-mile walk and run, half-mile walk, flying disc throw, discus and shot-put throw, bocce toss, ladder golf, football throw and more begin after the ceremony. Throughout May, players can take part in various tournaments, including bridge, pickle ball, tennis, canasta and poker, diving and swimming events, a nature hike, rock climbing, a biathlon, table tennis, and other competitive events. A luncheon and awards ceremony will be held Thursday, May 26, 2016 at the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex in Sandy Springs. For more information, contact Fitness Instructor Nicole Wyche at (404) 613-4900. The 22nd Annual Fulton Golden Games are hosted by the Fulton County Aging and Youth Services Department, Office of Aging, Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department in conjunction with the Johns Creek Recreation and Parks Division, City of Milton Parks and Recreation Department, Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department and the Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department. Citizens in need of reasonable accommodations due to a disability including communications in an alternative format should contact the Disability Liaison in the Aging and Youth Services Department at (404) 613-7944. For Georgia Relay Access, dial 711.