Senior Beat
by Carol Higgins Taylor
Eastern Area agency on Aging
Cold ‘nough for ya? They say fat in insulating. I beg to disagree.
It is barely officially winter, and we have had some bone-chilling temperatures. I hate to be a nay sayer, but it is only going to get worse, so it’s time to get serious about warmth.
The first recommendation is to dress in layers. And wear a turtleneck shirt always, under everything. This will keep your neck warm, which goes a long way to keeping the rest of you warm. And while socks with slippers may seem weird, it works and will keep your feet toasty because your ankles will be covered.
I am a firm believer in hats and not just when venturing outside. A person loses about 40 percent of body through the head and neck (remember the turtleneck neck from earlier?), so get a special soft hat that you only wear indoors. You will be amazed at how much warmer you feel. And top this all off with fingerless gloves. They allow you to use your fingers, but will keep your hands warm.
Getting into a cold bed can be startling. I recommend fleece sheets. They are soft, warm and the perfect companion to restful slumber. Remember, being cold is more than just uncomfortable. It can lead to hypothermia very quickly, often before an elderly person even realizes it, and it can be very dangerous. A core body temperature of 95 degrees or lower is all it takes.
Signs and symptoms of hypothermia include:
• Poor coordination;
• Stumbling;
• Weak or irregular pulse;
• Intense shivering;
• Poor judgment or irrationality;
• Hallucinations;
• Blueness or puffiness;
• Slower than normal speech or slurring words;
• Acting sleepy;
• A feeling of deep cold or numbness.
If you are a senior or love someone who is, remember to be very careful about setting the thermostat too low. The National Institutes of Health recommends setting your thermostat to at least 68 to 70 degrees ,because even mildly cool homes with temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees can trigger hypothermia in older people. A drop to 95 degrees in body temperature can also cause some serious health concerns such as a heart attack, kidney problems, liver damage or worse, according to NIH.
Some diseases such as diabetes, thyroid problems, Parkinson’s disease or arthritis compound the risk for hypothermia by making it harder for an aging body to stay warm, as can some medications, such as for asthma and high blood pressure, which can constrict veins and reduce blood flow.
In fact, caregivers need to be especially aware because sometimes these symptoms are mistaken for the natural signs of aging, slight dementia, or drug side effects, when in reality hypothermia could be setting in.
The winter months and cold weather have other possible side effects: increased isolation and accidents that result in injuries. Slippery sidewalks, roads and parking lots can be extremely dangerous, so always carry a small container of rock salt or calcium chloride with you so you can sprinkle I as you go along if necessary. And test the ground before getting out of your car. There may be black ice that could cause your feet to go out from under you, so be on the safe side and salt a little before you step out.
We are in this for the long haul, so get your “body warming” strategy in place now.
Carol Higgins Taylor is director of community education at Eastern Area Agency on Aging. For information on EAAA, call 207-941-2865, toll-free 800-432-7812, or go to EAAA.org.