It is very important for the older adult to know his/her surroundings and prepare for the winter months. Changes in the older adult that accompany aging make it harder for them to know when they are getting cold. It is also harder for the body to warm itself. So for safety’s sake, it is very important for the older adult to pay attention to the weather and how cold it is going to get. Caregivers should help their aging parents and other aging loved ones follow the tips below.
General tips for the older adult from the American Geriatric Society are:
1. Stay indoors when it's very cold outside, especially if it's also very windy; and keep indoor temperatures at least 65 degrees
2. If you have to go outside, don't stay out in the cold or the wind for very long
3. Wear two or three thinner layers of loose-fitting clothing. (They are warmer than a single layer of thick clothing.) Always wear:
5. Go indoors if you start shivering- it's a warning sign that you're losing body heat.
Know the warning signs of hypothermia: lots of shivering; cold skin that is pale or ashy; feeling very tired, confused and sleepy; feeling weak; problems walking; slowed breathing or heart rate. Note: Don't rely on shivering alone as a warning sign, since older people tend to shiver less -and some, not at all-as their body temperature drops. Call 911 if you think you or someone else has hypothermia.
In my next blog, I'll post information on finding assistance for seniors who may have trouble paying their heating bills.
Visit the AGS foundation winter safety page here.
General tips for the older adult from the American Geriatric Society are:
1. Stay indoors when it's very cold outside, especially if it's also very windy; and keep indoor temperatures at least 65 degrees
2. If you have to go outside, don't stay out in the cold or the wind for very long
3. Wear two or three thinner layers of loose-fitting clothing. (They are warmer than a single layer of thick clothing.) Always wear:
- a hat
- gloves or mittens (mittens are warmer)
- coat and boots
- a scarf to cover your mouth and nose and protect your lungs from very cold air
5. Go indoors if you start shivering- it's a warning sign that you're losing body heat.
Know the warning signs of hypothermia: lots of shivering; cold skin that is pale or ashy; feeling very tired, confused and sleepy; feeling weak; problems walking; slowed breathing or heart rate. Note: Don't rely on shivering alone as a warning sign, since older people tend to shiver less -and some, not at all-as their body temperature drops. Call 911 if you think you or someone else has hypothermia.
In my next blog, I'll post information on finding assistance for seniors who may have trouble paying their heating bills.
Visit the AGS foundation winter safety page here.
Eric Tinsley
Alan Stanford 
Jean Bandos
Karen Kelsey
Natalie Crohn
George Slater
Powered by Compendium Blogware
Comments for Winter safety and staying warm