Arizona is one of the hottest places on earth from May through September, and for older adults the danger is not abstract. In Maricopa County alone, 427 people died from heat-related causes in 2025, following 608 deaths in 2024 and a record-setting 645 in 2023. Statewide, more than 4,320 heat-related deaths have been recorded since 2013. While those numbers have begun to decline thanks to expanded cooling infrastructure and community outreach, the risk remains serious — and seniors are among the most vulnerable.
This guide covers what Arizona seniors and their families need to know heading into summer 2026: why older adults face higher risk, how to stay safe at home, where to find cooling centers and emergency resources in your county, which medications can make the heat more dangerous, and what financial assistance is available to help keep the air conditioning running.
Why Seniors Are at Greater Risk
As the body ages, its ability to regulate temperature declines. Older adults sweat less efficiently, are slower to recognize rising body temperature, and are more prone to dehydration — even before factoring in chronic conditions or medications. The thirst response also weakens with age, which means many seniors do not feel thirsty until they are already significantly dehydrated.
Several factors compound the risk for Arizona’s older residents. Living alone reduces the chance that someone will notice early warning signs of heat illness. Limited mobility can make it harder to get to a cooler location. Fixed incomes can make high summer electric bills difficult to manage, leading some seniors to set their thermostats dangerously high to save money. And Arizona’s extreme heat season now starts earlier and lasts longer than it did even a decade ago, with the first heat-related death of 2026 in Maricopa County confirmed in early April — weeks before summer officially begins.
Medications That Increase Heat Risk
Many of the most commonly prescribed medications for older adults can interfere with the body’s ability to cool itself. This does not mean you should stop taking your medications during hot weather — but it does mean you should be aware of the added risk and take extra precautions.
Diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix) and hydrochlorothiazide increase urination and fluid loss, which accelerates dehydration. When combined with sweating in extreme heat, the fluid deficit can become dangerous quickly.
Beta blockers, prescribed for blood pressure and heart conditions, can reduce blood flow to the skin and decrease sweating, both of which impair the body’s ability to release heat.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers), also used for blood pressure and heart conditions, can suppress the thirst response, making it harder to recognize when you need to drink more water.
Anticholinergic medications, including some over-the-counter antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can significantly reduce sweating. Without sweating, the body loses its primary cooling mechanism.
Antidepressants, particularly SSRIs and tricyclics, can alter the body’s internal thermostat and may have anticholinergic properties that reduce perspiration.
Antipsychotic medications can impair the ability to sense your own body temperature, so a person may not realize they are overheating until symptoms become severe. This risk is heightened for individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
If you or a loved one takes any of these medications, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before the heat season begins. Ask specifically about heat-related precautions and whether your dosage or hydration needs should be adjusted for summer.
Staying Safe at Home
The majority of heat-related deaths among older adults in Arizona happen indoors, often in homes where the air conditioning has failed, been turned off to save money, or been set too high. Indoor temperatures should be kept below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When the thermostat consistently reads between 80 and 85 degrees inside, the risk of heat illness increases significantly.
Keep Your Home Cool
Make sure your air conditioning system is serviced before summer begins. Change filters, check that the unit is operating efficiently, and address any repairs early — HVAC technicians are heavily booked once triple-digit temperatures arrive. If your home does not have air conditioning, or if your system fails during the summer, contact 211 Arizona immediately (dial 2-1-1) to find emergency cooling assistance and repair programs.
Close blinds and curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day. Even basic window coverings can reduce indoor temperatures by several degrees. If you have ceiling fans, make sure they are set to run counterclockwise in summer to push air downward.
Hydration
Drink water throughout the day, even if you do not feel thirsty. By the time thirst registers, dehydration has already started. A good baseline for most adults is to aim for at least eight glasses of water per day, and more when temperatures are extreme. Keep a water bottle within reach at all times.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine during the hottest parts of the day, as both contribute to fluid loss. If plain water is unappealing, try adding slices of cucumber, lemon, or frozen fruit. Eating water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumber, grapes, and oranges also helps maintain hydration.
If you take diuretics, ask your doctor how much additional water you should be drinking during the summer months.
Daily Routine
If you need to go outside, limit outdoor activity to early morning (before 10 a.m.) or evening (after 6 p.m.). The hottest part of the day in Arizona is typically between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. — not noon, as many people assume.
Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing made from breathable fabrics. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses are essential. Apply sunscreen even for short trips outside, as sunburn reduces the body’s ability to cool itself.
Check-Ins
If you live alone, arrange for a family member, friend, or neighbor to check on you daily by phone or in person during the summer months. If you are a caregiver or family member, do not assume that a senior loved one is managing the heat well just because they say they are fine — especially if they have cognitive impairment or are taking medications that affect temperature regulation.
The Area Agency on Aging offers phone check-in programs in several Arizona counties. Call 602-264-4357 (the Area Agency on Aging HelpLine) for information about programs in your area.
Know the Warning Signs
Heat illness progresses in stages, and early recognition can be lifesaving.
Heat Exhaustion is the earlier, less severe stage. Symptoms include heavy sweating, cold or clammy skin, a fast but weak pulse, nausea, dizziness, headache, weakness, and muscle cramps. If you or someone you are caring for shows these symptoms, move to a cool place immediately, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths, and sip water. If symptoms do not improve within 30 minutes, or if the person vomits, seek medical attention.
Heat Stroke is a medical emergency. It occurs when the body’s core temperature rises above 103 degrees Fahrenheit and the cooling system shuts down. Symptoms include hot, red, dry skin (no sweating), a rapid and strong pulse, throbbing headache, confusion, slurred speech, and loss of consciousness. Call 911 immediately. While waiting for emergency services, move the person to a cool area and try to lower their temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give them anything to drink if they are confused or unconscious.
For individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, watch for sudden changes in behavior, increased agitation or confusion, refusal to drink, or unusual lethargy. These can be signs of heat illness even when the person cannot describe how they feel.
Where to Find Cooling Centers
Arizona operates an extensive network of cooling centers, hydration stations, and respite locations during the heat season, typically from May 1 through September 30. These are free, publicly accessible indoor spaces where anyone can get relief from the heat.
Maricopa County (Phoenix Metro)
The Maricopa County Heat Relief Network is the largest in the state, with more than 200 locations across the Valley including indoor cooling centers, hydration stations, and respite centers where individuals can rest or lie down. For 2026, the network went live on May 1.
Key locations include a 24/7 cooling center at Jackson Street and First Avenue in downtown Phoenix, operating seven days a week throughout the heat season. The Justa Center at 1001 West Jefferson Street serves as an additional afternoon and evening site and specializes in assisting older adults, providing food, water, showers, and access to support services. Multiple Phoenix Public Libraries serve as cooling centers with extended hours — Cholla Library stays open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and has added Sunday hours from noon to 9 p.m. for 2026.
The Maricopa County Heat Relief Network interactive map shows all cooling center, hydration station, and donation drop-off locations in the Valley. Access it at http://www.maricopa.gov/heatrelief. You can also call 211 Arizona for help finding the nearest location and, in some cases, arranging transportation.
Pima County (Tucson Area)
Pima County cooling centers opened on May 4, 2026, and will operate through October. Hours and services vary by site. The Pima County Health Department maintains a list of all cooling center locations at http://www.pima.gov/2307/Cooling-Centers, which includes a map view, hours, accessibility information, and notes about Sun Tran bus access (rides to cooling centers on Sun Tran are free). The City of Tucson has announced that its cooling centers will be open daily, including summer holidays, for the 2026 season.
Other Counties
For cooling center locations in Cochise, Yavapai, Yuma, Pinal, Flagstaff/Coconino, Mohave, and other Arizona counties, the best starting point is to dial 211 (available daily in English and Spanish from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) or visit http://www.211arizona.org. Many rural communities also use libraries, senior centers, and community centers as informal cooling locations during extreme heat.
Financial Help for Utility Bills and AC Repairs
A broken air conditioner or an unaffordable electric bill can become a life-threatening emergency in an Arizona summer. Several programs exist to help.
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. In Arizona, cooling assistance is available from April 1 through October 31 (November 30 in some counties). For 2026, eligible households can receive between $160 and $640 in cooling assistance, plus up to $500 in crisis assistance for emergencies like a broken AC unit or a shutoff notice. Applications are handled through local Community Action Agencies. Apply through the A-to-Z Arizona Portal online or by contacting the Child and Community Services Division at 1-866-494-1981 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Note: The future of LIHEAP funding at the federal level is uncertain. The federal 2026 budget proposal eliminates all LIHEAP funding, though Arizona state funds and prior-year allocations are still being distributed as of this writing. Apply early, as funding runs out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Power AZ
Power AZ is an Arizona state program that extends utility assistance to households with income up to 100% of the State Median Income — a higher threshold than LIHEAP. Eligible households can receive up to $640 in standard assistance and up to $500 in crisis assistance per year. Applications are handled alongside LIHEAP through the same Community Action Agencies and online portal.
APS Crisis Bill Assistance
Arizona Public Service (APS) customers facing a financial emergency may qualify for up to $1,000 per year in bill payment assistance. Contact APS at http://www.aps.com or call their customer service line.
Project S.H.A.R.E.
Administered by the Salvation Army, Project S.H.A.R.E. specifically assists seniors over 60 who are living on a fixed income and facing a financial emergency with energy bills. Contact your local Salvation Army for information.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund
A statewide utility assistance fund that prioritizes individuals aged 60 and older or those with disabilities. The fund operates through local community agencies at higher income allowance thresholds.
Maricopa County Emergency Home Repair Program
For Maricopa County homeowners, this program helps repair health and safety conditions in the home, including non-functioning air conditioning systems. Eligibility and availability are subject to funding. Contact Maricopa County Human Services for more information.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Administered by the Arizona Department of Housing, WAP provides free energy-efficiency improvements to income-qualified households, including HVAC repairs, attic insulation, duct sealing, and solar screens. These improvements can significantly reduce cooling costs over time. Households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify.
SRP Low-Income Programs
Salt River Project customers may be eligible for bill assistance programs and energy-efficiency rebates. Visit http://www.srpnet.com or call SRP customer service.
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority Senior Discount
NTUA offers a 10% discount to customers aged 60 and older with an annual household income of $21,000 or less.
Emergency Contacts and Resources
911 — For any heat-related medical emergency, especially if someone shows signs of heat stroke (confusion, hot dry skin, loss of consciousness).
211 Arizona — Dial 2-1-1 for cooling center locations, utility assistance, emergency AC repair, and transportation help. Available daily in English and Spanish from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Area Agency on Aging HelpLine — 602-264-4357. Connects seniors with services including home-delivered meals, transportation assistance, and phone check-in programs.
LIHEAP / Power AZ Applications — 1-866-494-1981 or apply online at the A-to-Z Arizona Portal (des.az.gov/liheap).
Maricopa County Heat Relief Network — https://azmag.gov/Programs/Heat-Relief-Networkv/heatrelief (interactive map of 200+ cooling locations).
Pima County Cooling Centers — http://www.pima.gov/2307/Cooling-Centers.
Arizona Department of Health Services Heat Safety — http://www.azdhs.gov/heat-safety (heat alerts, tips, and data).
Maricopa County Heat Surveillance Dashboard — http://www.maricopa.gov/1858/Heat-Surveillance (weekly updates on heat-related deaths and hospital admissions during the heat season).
AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid) — If you or a loved one needs ongoing care and is struggling with the cost, you may qualify for AHCCCS or ALTCS (Arizona Long Term Care System). See our step-by-step ALTCS application guide for more information.
Plan Ahead, Stay Ahead
Arizona’s heat is predictable, which means the dangers it poses are largely preventable. The families who get through summer safely are the ones who prepare before the first 110-degree day arrives. Service your AC now. Stock up on water. Talk to your doctor about your medications. Know where the nearest cooling center is. Save the 211 number in your phone. And if you have an elderly parent, neighbor, or friend who lives alone, commit to checking on them regularly — a five-minute phone call can save a life.
If you are looking for senior services in your area — home care, transportation, senior centers, or other support — browse our directory at Senior Support Arizona. We list over 725 organizations serving every county in the state. Use the search tools on our homepage to find resources near you.
The information in this article is current as of May 2026. Cooling center locations, hours, and program funding levels may change during the season. Always confirm availability by calling 211 Arizona or checking the county-specific links provided above. This article is intended as general information and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your physician about heat-related precautions specific to your health and medications.