Growing Older and Feeling Colder? Tips to Stay Warm This Winter (2024)

FAQs

Growing Older and Feeling Colder? Tips to Stay Warm This Winter? ›

Staying Warm Indoors

Hypothermia

Due to this, the thermostat in their home should not ever be set under 65 degrees for any senior who is over the age of 75.

Over time, your body is less able to regulate its own temperature. The fat layer under your skin may thin as you age, making you less able to conserve body heat. Your blood circulation—especially in your hands and feet—can also decrease as your blood vessels lose elasticity.

However, as you age, you start to lose your extra muscle mass, thought to be at a rate of around 10% for each decade after the age of 50. This is one of the reasons that older people often feel the cold more later in life.

Some people may feel colder than others without any cause. However, always feeling cold may indicate an underlying medical condition, such as hypothyroidism, anemia, or poor circulation. It's normal to feel cold in cold climates, but there may be an underlying cause if you always feel cold.

Traditionally, the “elderly” are considered to be those persons age 65 and older.

Over time, your body is less able to regulate its own temperature. The fat layer under your skin may thin as you age, making you less able to conserve body heat. Your blood circulation—especially in your hands and feet—can also decrease as your blood vessels lose elasticity.

Your house could be cold due to an old air filter, a faulty furnace, improper insulation, or leaky ductwork. The simple fixes, like replacing an air filter, are relatively easy to complete. However, if the heater itself needs repairs, it's best to call in a professional to take a look and determine the problem.

How do elderly keep warm in bed? ›

Warming the bed with an electric blanket, or by layering blankets rather than using just one heavy blanket or doona. Dressing in layers rather than heavy clothing, and starting with basic thermals such as a vest. Trying to get your loved one to move around, rather than sitting all the time.

Go for a walk or a jog. If it's too cold outside, hit the gym, or just do some jumping jacks, pushups, or other exercises indoors. Not only will it warm you up, it helps build and keep your muscles, which also burn calories and make body heat.

Vitamin B12 deficiency:

Vitamin B12 is important in the production of red blood cells and the transport of oxygen. Because our bodies cannot produce red blood cells, the lack thereof results in vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. This lack of vitamin B12 may often lead to chills and feeling cold.

That's right—in some cases, low vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin C levels can make you feel cold. Fortunately, learning about what vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold can help you identify whether a vitamin or nutrient deficiency might be causing your sensitivity to coldness.

Increasing your iron intake is possibly one of the easiest potential treatments for feelings of cold. Iron supplements are an easy solution, while eating iron-rich foods such as lean meat, eggs, and leafy greens like spinach and kale are also beneficial.

The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for healthy people. The minimum temperature should be kept above 68 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the very young, the elderly, or people with health problems. Watch out for signs of hypothermia.

Sleep Can Be Most Restful For Older Adults When Nighttime Temperature Range Is Between 68 To 77 °F, Study Finds | Hebrew SeniorLife.

11–65 years: A normal oral temperature is 97.6–99.6°F (36.4–37.5°C). Over 65 years: Some older adults may have a lower baseline temperature than younger people. A normal oral temperature for this age group is 96.4–98.5°F (35.7–36.9°C).

The fingers, nose, ears, toes, cheeks and chin are most vulnerable to frostbite, and should be covered as much as possible. When Is Cold Too Cold? Experts agree that it's best to stay indoors if the temperature falls below zero degrees Fahrenheit or the windchill dips below -18.