During Cool Winter Months, Protect Senior Loved Ones against Hypothermia

The winter chill can lower the temperature inside the body. That can be deadly if not treated quickly. This drop in body temperature, often caused by staying in a cool place for too long, is called hypothermia. A body temperature below 96° F may seem like just a couple of degrees below the body's normal temperature of 98.6° F. But it can be dangerous. It may cause an irregular heartbeat leading to heart problems and death. Here is some important information to share with elderly loved ones during the winter months.

What to Look For

When you think about being cold, you probably think of shivering. That is one thing the body does to stay warm when it gets cold. Muscles shiver in response to messages sent by the nerves. Shivering increases muscle cell activity that, in turn, makes heat. But shivering alone does not mean hypothermia.

So, how can you tell if someone has hypothermia? It can be tricky because some older people may not want to complain. Here are some signs to look for:

• Confusion or sleepiness 
• Slowed, slurred speech, or shallow breathing 
• A change in behavior during cold weather, or a change in the way they look 
• A lot of shivering or no shivering; stiffness in the arms or legs 
• Chilly rooms or other signs that they have been in a cold place  
• Poor control over body movements or slow reactions.

What to Do

If you think an older loved one could be experiencing hypothermia, take his or her temperature with a thermometer. Make sure you shake the thermometer so it starts below its lowest point. If the temperature doesn't rise above 96° F, call for emergency help. In many areas, that means calling 911. The person must be seen by a doctor.

While you are waiting for help to arrive, keep the person warm and dry. Move him or her to a warmer place, if possible. Wrap the person in blankets, towels, coats—whatever is handy. Even your own body warmth will help. Avoid rubbing the person's arms and legs; this can make the problem worse. The skin of an older person may be thinner and more easily injured than the skin of someone younger.

Advice to Seniors: Risks to Avoid

There are some things that put any older person at risk for hypothermia:

• Try to stay away from cold places. Changes in your body that come with aging can make it harder to sense that you are getting cold. It may be harder for your body to warm itself. Pay attention to how cold it is where you are.
  
  
• Make sure you eat enough food to keep up your weight. If you don't eat well, you might have less fat under your skin. Fat can protect your body. It keeps heat in your body.
  
  
• See your doctor to keep any illnesses under control. Some illnesses may make it harder for your body to stay warm. These include:
  
  
  • Problems with your body's hormone system, such as low thyroid (hypothyroidism) 
  • Any health problems that keep your blood from flowing normally, such as diabetes 
  • Some skin problems, such as psoriasis, that allow your body to lose more heat than normal. 
    
    
• Sometimes you need to put on more clothes, use a blanket, or move out of the cold. Health problems may make that hard to do. Such conditions include:
  
  
  • Severe arthritis, Parkinson's disease, or other illnesses that make it harder to move around 
  • Stroke or other illnesses that can leave you paralyzed and make clear thinking more difficult  
  • Memory disorders or dementia 
  • A fall or other injury.
    
    
• Ask your doctor how the medicines you are taking affect body heat. Some medicines often used by older people also increase the risk of accidental hypothermia. These include drugs used to treat anxiety, depression, or nausea. Some over-the-counter cold remedies can also cause problems.
  
  
• Do not drink alcohol before bedtime when it gets colder outside—and maybe inside, too. Alcoholic drinks can also make you lose body heat faster. Use alcohol moderately, if at all. 
  
  
• Wear several layers of loose clothing when it is cold. The layers will trap warm air between them. Clothing can make you colder or help keep you warm. Tight clothing can keep your blood from flowing freely. This can lead to loss of body heat.

Staying Warm Inside and Out

Maybe you already knew that your health, your age, what you eat or drink, even your clothes can make it hard for you to stay warm enough wherever you are. What you might not realize is that people can become cold enough even inside a building to get very sick.

Homes or apartments that are not heated adequately, even with a temperature of 60° F to 65° F, can lead to illness. Set your thermostat for at least 68° F to 70° F. If a power outage leaves you without heat, try to stay with a relative or friend.

Information from the National Institute on Aging