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Feeling cold isn’t just a temporary dis-
comfort for many older folks. It can
make them sick and even lead to
death. Older adults can lose body heat
faster than when they were young.
Changes in the body that come with
aging can make it harder for them to
even know they are getting cold. These
conditions can lead to life-threatening
hypothermia.
Hypothermia is what happens when
your body temperature gets very low.
For an older person, a body tempera-
ture colder than 95°F can cause many
health problems, such as a heart
attack, kidney problems, liver damage
or worse.
Living in a cold house or apartment can
cause hypothermia. Hypothermia can
even happen to someone in a nursing
home or group facility if the rooms are
not kept warm enough. If someone
you know is in a group facility, pay
attention to the inside temperature
and to whether that person is dressed
warmly enough. Chelsea Senior Living
communities monitor temperatures
closely throughout their buildings
including resident apartments.
People who are sick may have special
problems keeping warm. An inside
temperature between 60 and 65
degrees Fahrenheit may not be warm
enough to keep older people safe,
especially if they live alone because no
one else is there to feel the chilliness or
observe symptoms of hypothermia.
Early signs of hypothermia:
• Cold feet and hands
• Puffy or swollen face
• Pale skin
• Shivering (in some cases the person
with hypothermia does not shiver)
• Slower than normal speech or slur-
ring words
• Acting sleepy
• Being angry or confused
Later signs of hypothermia:
• Moving slowly, trouble walking,
or being clumsy
• Stiff and jerky arm or leg
movements
• Slow heartbeat
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Blacking out or losing
consciousness
Call 911 right away if you think some-
one has warning signs of hypothermia.
Using a space heater to warm a room
might sound like a good idea. But,
some space heaters are fire hazards,
and others can cause carbon monoxide
poisoning. Your local fire department
or a friend or family member can help
assess the risk of using a space heater
in a home. Never use your stove or
oven as a heat source!
Seasonal depression is another possible
by-product of a long, cold winter. Also
known as Seasonal Affective Disorder,
it can have a profound effect on activ-
ities of daily living and energy levels for
people of all ages. Extended feelings of
depression require a visit to the doctor.
Finally, keep it moving! Stay active in
the winter by walking indoors or even
safely outdoors given the right weath-
er conditions. Having said that, walk-
ing on streets and sidewalks that are
icy or snow-covered can be a hazard
for anyone, so be extra careful when
walking outside. Physical activity pro-
motes balance and strength which
minimize the risk of falls.
Contact Linda Caminiti at The Chelsea
at Warren, 908-903-0911, for guid-
ance on health and safety issues for
seniors and for information on our
Assisted Living, Independent Living
and Memory Care programs.
COLD WEATHER SAFETY
FOR OLDER ADULTS
908-903-1799
email:
Connectionsnj@gmail.com
www.theconnectionsnj.com
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THE CONNECTION
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PAGE 36
Spotlight on
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