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Title

A Comprehensive Approach to Enhance Older Adults’ Preparedness for Extreme Heat: COPE-Engage

Abstract

COPE-Engage examines the lived experiences of older adults facing extreme heat events through applied qualitative methods. With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme heat days, older adults are disproportionately affected (i.e., vulnerable to heat-related health risks) due to physiological vulnerabilities and systemic barriers to adaptation. This study employs focus group interviews with older adults, healthcare providers, and community organizations to identify both best practices and challenges in existing heat response strategies. The research prioritizes older adults' perspectives, emphasizing their firsthand experiences in navigating extreme heat and accessing community support. A multi-year approach integrates co-production workshops to refine intervention strategies based on qualitative findings. In the initial phase, focus groups and semi-structured interviews provide rich, narrative-driven insights into lived experiences, enabling researchers to understand how older adults interpret and respond to heat-related risks. Participants were selected based on age, communication ability, diversity of experiences, and community-specific insights. Questions probe participants about: awareness and preparedness; perception of vulnerability; adaptation strategies; socioeconomic influence; thermal comfort; housing and health; community facilities; and heat relief. The advisory board maintains ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, ensuring that research outcomes remain reflective of older adults' evolving needs. In this symposium, preliminary findings will be disseminated through community forums, academic publications, and digital media, prioritizing accessibility and knowledge mobilization. By centering qualitative methods, this study not only amplifies the voices of older adults but also informs strategies that are contextually grounded and community-driven.