Page 7 - March 2019 NBY News

Cold Weather Cautions for Older Adults

Cold Weather Safety for Older not let it get too cold inside and dress Wear loose layers of clothing.
Adults warmly. Even if you keep your temperature The air between the layers helps
If you are like most people, you feel between 60°F and 65°F, your home or to keep you warm.
cold every now and then during the apartment may not be warm enough to keep Put on a hat and scarf. You lose
winter. What you may not know is that you safe. This is a special problem if you live a lot of body heat when your
just being really cold can make you alone because there is no one else to feel the head and neck are uncovered.
very sick. chilliness of the house or notice if you are Wear a waterproof coat or
Older adults can lose body heat having symptoms of hypothermia. jacket if it’s snowy.
fast—faster than when they were Here are some tips for keeping warm Change your clothes right
young. Changes in your body that while you’re inside: away if they get damp or wet.
come with aging can make it harder for Set your heat to at least 68–70°F. To save Illness, Medicines, and Cold
you to be aware of getting cold. A big on heating bills, close off rooms you are not Weather
chill can turn into a dangerous using. Close the vents and shut the doors in Some illnesses may make it
problem before an older person even these rooms, and keep the basement door harder for your body to stay
knows what’s happening. Doctors call closed. Place a rolled towel in front of all warm.
this serious problem hypothermia. doors to keep out drafts. Thyroid problems can make it
What Is Hypothermia? Make sure your house isn’t losing heat hard to maintain a normal body
Hypothermia is what happens when through windows. Keep your blinds and temperature.
your body temperature gets very low. curtains closed. If you have gaps around the Diabetes can keep blood from
For an older person, a body windows, try using weather stripping or flowing normally to provide
temperature of 95°F or lower can cause caulk to keep the cold air out. warmth.
many health problems, such as a heart Dress warmly on cold days even if you are Parkinson’s
attack, kidney problems, liver damage, staying in the house. Throw a blanket over disease and arthritis can make it
or worse. your legs. Wear socks and slippers. hard to put on more clothes, use a confused if your body temperature gets
very low. Talk to your family and friends
Being outside in the cold, or even When you go to sleep, wear long blanket, or get out of the cold.
being in a very cold house, can lead to underwear under your pajamas, and use Memory loss can cause a person to go about the warning signs so they can look
out for you.
hypothermia. Try to stay away from extra covers. Wear a cap or hat. outside without the right clothing. Early signs of hypothermia:
cold places, and pay attention to how Make sure you eat enough food to keep up Talk with your doctor about your Cold feet and hands
cold it is where you are. You can take your weight. If you don’t eat well, you health problems and how to prevent Puffy or swollen face
steps to lower your chance of getting might have less fat under your skin. Body fat hypothermia. Pale skin
hypothermia. helps you to stay warm. Taking some medicines and not being Shivering (in some cases the person with
Bob’s Story Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. active also can affect body heat. These hypothermia does not shiver)
Vermont winters can be very cold. Alcoholic drinks can make you lose body include medicines you get from your
Slower than normal speech or slurring
Last December, I wanted to save some heat. doctor and those you buy over-the- words
money so I turned my heat down to Ask family or friends to check on you counter, such as some cold medicines.
62°F. I didn’t know that would put my during cold weather. If a power outage Ask your doctor if the medicines you Acting sleepy
Being angry or confused
health in danger. leaves you without heat, try to stay with a take may affect body heat. Always talk Later signs of hypothermia:
Luckily, my son Tyler came by to relative or friend. with your doctor before you stop taking
Moving slowly, trouble walking, or
check on me. He saw that I was only You may be tempted to warm your room any medication. being clumsy
wearing a light shirt and that my house with a space heater. But, some space heaters Here are some topics to talk about with
was cold. Ty said I was speaking are fire hazards, and others can cause carbon your doctor to stay safe in cold weather: Stiff and jerky arm or leg movements
Slow heartbeat
slowly, shivering, and having trouble monoxide poisoning. The Consumer Product Ask your doctor about signs of Slow, shallow breathing
walking. He wrapped me in a blanket Safety Commission has information on the hypothermia. Blacking out or losing consciousness
and called 9-1-1. use of space heaters. Read the following for Talk to your doctor about any health Call 9-1-1 right away if you think
Turns out I had hypothermia. My more information: Reducing Fire Hazards problems and medicines that can make someone has warning signs of
son’s quick thinking saved my life. for Portable Electric Heaters and Seven hypothermia a special problem for you. hypothermia.
Now on cold days, I keep my heat at Highly Effective Portable Heater Safety Your doctor can help you find ways to What to do after you call 9-1-1:
least at 68°F and wear a sweater in the Habits. prevent hypothermia.
Try to move the person to a warmer
house. Bundle Up on Windy, Cold Days Ask about safe ways to stay active even place.
Keep Warm Inside A heavy wind can quickly lower your when it’s cold outside.
Living in a cold house, apartment, or body temperature. Check the weather What Are the Warning Signs of Wrap the person in a warm blanket,
other building can cause hypothermia. forecast for windy and cold days. On those Hypothermia? towels, or coats—whatever is handy. Even
your own body warmth will help. Lie
In fact, hypothermia can happen to days, try to stay inside or in a warm place. If Sometimes it is hard to tell if a person
someone in a nursing home or group you have to go out, wear warm clothes, and has hypothermia. Look for clues. Is the close, but be gentle.
Give the person something warm to
facility if the rooms are not kept warm don’t stay out in the cold and wind for a long house very cold? Is the person not
enough. If someone you know is in a time. dressed for cold weather? Is the person drink, but avoid drinks with alcohol or
caffeine, such as regular coffee.
group facility, pay attention to the Here are some other tips: speaking slower than normal and having Do not rub the person’s legs or arms.
inside temperature and to whether that Dress for the weather if you have to go out trouble keeping his or her balance? Do not try to warm the person in a bath.
person is dressed warmly enough. on chilly, cold, or damp days. Watch for the signs of hypothermia in Do not use a heating pad.
People who are sick may have yourself, too. You might become
special problems keeping warm. Do Continued on Page 20
March 2019 7