Winter Woes

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Joanne Shroyer from www.Heaters.com shared that if you are a caretaker or family member living with a senior citizen, you may already know that the winter months can be a difficult time for them.

Because elderly individuals have less body fat and less insulation as a result, it can be hard for them to stay warm even when the temperatures outside have yet to drop. Elderly patients typically have limited mobility which also makes it difficult for them to maintain an optimal core body temperature. These factors unfortunately put them at risk for hypothermia.

Hypothermia

In order for your body to properly function, it has to maintain a consistent core temperature of around 97.7–99.5°F. Hypothermia is when your body temperature drops below 95°F. This can happen when you are exposed to cold weather or submerged in cold water. In the case of elderly individuals, the temperature outside or inside the home does not have to be very low to cause this.

High Risk Patients

While any elderly person is at risk for hypothermia in cold temperatures, diabetics and those with heart disease or active thyroids are even more vulnerable. Many senior citizens take prescriptions medications and this, too, can increase their risk. This especially applies to medications treating nausea, depression, or anxiety. Even over-the-counter cold medications can increase the risk.

 

Symptoms of Hypothermia

If you are concerned that your elderly patient is getting too cold and is at risk of hypothermia, keep an eye out for excessive shivering, increased heart rate, dizziness, fatigue, or even mild confusion. As hypothermia becomes more moderate, patients may start to slur their words, have a weakened pulse, and even try to remove warm clothing as a result of increased confusion. Always have a thermometer handy to take their temperature. If their temp is 96 or below, call emergency services immediately.

Treatment

If your elderly loved one is approaching a dangerous drop in temperature, there are some measures you can take before calling 911. When hypothermia starts to set in, your primary objective is to warm the patient up gradually. Layer on clothing and light blankets and give them warm drinks to sip. Try to move to a warmer location but do not increase the surrounding temperature abruptly. Do not force the patient to exert themselves. However, if you are ever in doubt, always call 911.

 

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