Elderly adults can quickly succumb to hypothermia even when they think they are warm and safe.  There are many hidden dangers most older people are not aware of that can cause the classic symptoms of hypothermia which are confusion, weak pulse, stiffness in arms and legs, slowed speech and shallow breathing.  This symptoms could possibly lead to death in some cases.

1. The house or room is too cold

If the aging adult is in a house that is only heated to 60-65 degrees F these temperatures may be putting him in danger.  Many people mistakenly believe hypothermia can result only from the cold outside, but the elderly can succumb even if the inside temperatures do not seem that low.

As we age our bodies can not feel the cold as well as when we were younger.  Sometimes older people lose their appetites and do not  consume as many calories as they need which can also cut down on fat.  This is the good fat they need underneath their skin to  warm and insulate them.

Another problem is that many older adults can not pile on more layers of clothes  simply because they can’t move easily due to such disease as Parkinson’s, stroke, or dementia.  It is vital that the elderly be dressed warmly inside. Often this problem can be prevalent in group homes and where the elderly are living alone.

If the elderly person is living alone, someone needs to go by for regular visits to see that the thermostat is kept at 68 degrees F.  This is as low as it should be for mot people over 65.

2. Wind chill factor

Another hypothermia danger often overlooked is the wind chill factor.  That’s because windy days can actually be colder than days without  wind.  It is a mistake to go by the regular Fahrenheit temperature reading on such days because the difference can fool people.  Those are the days extra layers of clothing, such as glove and hats, should be worn by the elderly to prevent hypothermia.

3.Medications which affect body heat

Older people can increase the risk of accidental hypothermia because of certain prescriptions and over the counter medicines they may be taking.  All medications should be monitored closely, especially in the colder months.  The most dangerous medications are those often used to treat such problems  as anxiety, depression and nausea. 

It also goes without saying alcohol can cause people to lose body heat.  Also alcohol should be used in moderation by the elderly, especially in the wintertime and at night when temperatures fall.

The elderly and aging adults can be at increased risk for hypothermia in many ways which are not always so obvious.  It is very important to check on them regularly and make sure their body temperatures do not get below 96 degrees.  Any temperatures lower than that can cause an irregular heartbeat and even death.    

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