ÓÈÎïÊÓƵ

"Once, in a town that never expected the sun to grow so cruel, it was the elders who remembered how to build shade..."

As the climate continues to change, extreme heat is becoming a bigger concern, especially for older adults. As we age, our bodies don’t regulate temperature as efficiently, which can increase vulnerability to detrimental health effects of extreme heat. Plus, many older adults have pre-existing health conditions like heart disease, respiratory issues, or diabetes, which can worsen in the heat. While these changes may create challenges, many older adults demonstrate resilience in the face of environmental stressors, drawing on their life experience and coping strategies. In the COPE (A Comprehensive Approach to Enhance Older Adults’ Preparedness for Extreme Heat) project, we aim to combine the lived experiences of older adults with our scientific approach to better understand practical, effective strategies for coping with extreme heat.

The COPE study is not just about collecting data; it’s about empowering older adults to share their experiences. Together, we will co-create knowledge that will help older adults to be better prepared to handle these challenges. 

What’s involved? 

To accomplish this, our team aims to collect data from 100 adults aged 60+ in the metro Vancouver area over the summer. The participants will:

• Visit us for 2 in-person sessions at SFU or in the community.

• Take part in a 10-day study at home: During this time, we’ll collect information on environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and humidity), physiological markers (e.g., heart rate), and coping strategies (e.g., AC use) through brief surveys on a smartphone and participants will take photos of heat-related experiences.

• Participate in focus group to share your heat related experiences and talk about some of the photos you took during the 10-day period.

 The total time commitment is about 9 hours over 12 days. 

Why does this study matter? 

In the COPE project, older adults are central to shaping the strategies for managing extreme heat. Co-leading the research alongside academics and international partners, they play a crucial role in informing the team about the resources, demands, and challenges they face both individually and at the community level. By working together, we can develop practical, effective strategies that build resilience and protect health. Their insights and experiences will help us create tailored plans that address the real needs of older adults, ensuring that community services are better equipped to manage the impact of extreme heat. Through this collaboration, the COPE project aims to empower older adults with the tools and knowledge not only to cope with heat but to thrive in the face of it, strengthening individuals and the broader community. 

Interested in joining? 

We’d love to hear from you!  
Call us at 604-499-5172 or email cope_study@sfu.ca. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
After you get in touch, we’ll schedule a quick 10-15 minute call to check if the study is a good fit for you.