| Staying Warm |
As the temperature falls, older people need to dress warmly whether they’re
outdoors or inside, eat a nutritious diet, and stay active. They should be sure
to have enough night clothing and blankets to stay warm when
sleeping.
Older people should avoid putting themselves in situations which may lead to long exposure to winter weather, such as spending too much time outdoors or taking a road trip during extreme winter weather conditions. Also, a home thermostat set too low can lead to health problems.
Older people should be especially careful about frostbite and its winter relative, hypothermia, as older people are often the most susceptible. Frostbite is the easiest to recognize. Symptoms include loss of feeling to areas of the body exposed to cold such as cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, ears, hands, and feet. The skin affected will have a white or pale appearance. The frostbitten area should be wrapped in blankets or coats, etc., and should be warmed up gradually. Medical attention should be sought immediately.
Hypothermia is a more subtle, but very serious problem. Symptoms of hypothermia include slow, slurred speech, or incoherence; memory loss or disorientation; drowsiness, repeated stumbling, and exhaustion. Uncontrolled shivering can be a symptom also, but not always with older people. Diagnosing hypothermia can be as simple as taking the temperature with a thermometer that has been shaken down well. If the temperature is below 96 degrees, the person should have immediate emergency medical help.
If medical help is not readily available, warm the person slowly by warming the trunk of the body first, not the arms and legs which can cause other medical problems if warmed first.
To prevent frostbite and hypothermia, take measures to be sure that you and your older loved ones do not develop frostbite and hypothermia in the first place. Since slightly cool indoor temperatures can cause hypothermia in an older person, the temperature should never be set below 68 degrees, particularly for those with chronic illnesses or low activity levels.
As always, a person’s best allies are his or her friends, neighbors, and relatives. Set up a system of friendly calls or checkups with others in times of cold weather, and ask others to check up on you.
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