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Hypothermia is a common condition the elderly are likely to suffer from during the cold seasons. With their weakened immune system, they are more vulnerable to the cold and to the diseases that come with it. Though the winter chill is beginning to die down, the padded layers and wooly sweaters are still important weapons to combat the weather.

As we age, our body's ability to adjust our own body temperature according to its needs starts to weaken. Because of this and some behavioral patterns people develop as they age (e.g. drinking less water, becoming prone to inactivity, and lessening of nutrition intake), getting older is almost synonymous to being more susceptible to the cold.

Studies show that more deaths and illnesses occur during the freezing quarter of the year as proper insulation has been harder to maintain, compared to dressing down during the summers.

Therefore, prevention is key to ensuring that your elders are warm and safe during the winter season or the night time. Here are a few tips to do just that.

Ways to keep elderly warm

1. Keep your thermostat in check

The temperature should always range from 20°C or warmer, to prevent hypothermia. Get yourself a thermometer and keep a watchful eye. If the day gets any colder, adjust the thermostat accordingly. Make use of your drapes and close windows to keep the room warm. Purchase a humidifier to help with the house’s ambiance, as it is more desirable for the elderly to have humid air to breathe in rather than the crisp, dry wind of winter.

As there are families who take care of their elderly family members, a higher temperature may cause discomfort for young ones and adolescents because of the rapid physical changes they experience. In order to make ends meet, lay an electric blanket or a heating cushion on the favorite seat of your elderly.

2. Wear layer clothes

Whether your elderly will be lounging in the house or walking to the store nearby, it’s essential to dress them in layers of clothing. Inside the house, make sure that they wear sweaters and socks to keep the cold away. Padded jackets, coats, mittens, and ear mufflers are to be added when they leave the house.

3. Keep hydrated

Keeping your elderly hydrated throughout the day prevents them from getting hypothermia. Drinking warm beverages and eating balanced meals helps the body regulate temperature better. Taking the right supplements and scheduling a daily exercise routine can help with blood circulation as well. Spend mornings going around the neighborhood and taking in the sights. Simply moving around and going on walks help, especially for elders whose body suffers from inactivity.

Maintaining a healthy body also means paying regular visits to the family physician for check-ups. Prevention is always said to be easier than searching for a cure. But it is also important to be informed of the signs when an elderly in your house or neighborhood might be suffering from hypothermia.

Elderly family members who exhibit bluish fingers, slurred speech, and a pale face might be experiencing hypothermia, even if they might not be complaining of the cold. Being aware of this helps you gauge whether you should bring them to the hospital or not. If you have an elderly neighbor living alone, make sure to check up on them from time to time within a day.

When you practice these tips, your elderly family members should stay warm and cozy for the rest of the winter.

Stay warm this winter. Wellcare’s electric blankets and heating cushions are here to keep you relaxed and warmed up during the night time or cold seasons. Click on the link below and grab a Wellcare blanket for your family today.

References sources:

http://www.rosemountnursinghome.com/rosemount-blog/40-keeping-our-elderly-warm-this-winter.html

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jan/20/older-person-dying-winter-fuel-poverty

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/12015735/Winter-deaths-soar-as-elderly-suffer-in-cold-weather.html

https://www.homecare.com/family-resources/keep-your-loved-one-warm

https://lifechangeseldercare.com/winter-top-tips-how-to-keep-seniors-happy-healthy-and-warm/

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cold-weather-safety-older-adults

https://www.generationshcm.com/blog/2016/02/5-tips-for-seniors-to-stay-warm-this-winter/

https://www.health.gov.il/English/Topics/SeniorHealth/HealthPromo/Pages/coldness.aspx