Older adults can lose body heat faster than when they were young. A big chill can turn into a dangerous problem before an older person even knows what is happening. Doctors call this serious problem hypothermia.

Being outside in the cold, or even being in a very cold house, can lead to hypothermia. Hypothermia is what happens when you body temperature gets very low.

What is low body temperature? For an older person, a body temperature colder than 95 degrees can cause many health problems such as a heart attack, kidney problems, liver damage, or worse.

Warning signs:
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 slurring words
• Acting sleepy
• Being angry or confused

Later signs of hypothermia

• Moving slowly, trouble walking, or being clumsy
• Still or jerky arm or leg movements
• Slow heartbeat that is not regular
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Blacking out or losing consciousness

Call 911 right away if you think someone has warning signs of hypothermia

What can you do until medical help arrives?

• Call 911
• Wrap the person in a warm blanket
• Do not rub the person’s legs or arms
• Do not try to warm the person in a bath, and do not use a heating pad

What health problems make it easy to get hypothermia?

Diabetes, thyroid problems, Parkinson’s disease, or arthritis are common problems for older people. These health concerns can make it harder for your body to stay warm.

Additionally, conditions that create confusion and disorientation, for example Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, can cause a person to become less aware of their body and to wander and become lost in dangerous weather. More on this below.

Can medicines lower my temperature?

Yes. Some medications used by older people can make it easy to get hypothermia. This includes medicines you get from your doctor as well as those you buy over the counter. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any medication.

What can I do to stay warm at home?

• Set thermostat to a minimum of 68 degrees
• Close off any room you are not using. Close the vents and shut the doors to these rooms. Place a rolled towel in front of all doors to keep out drafts.
• Make sure your house isn’t losing heat through the windows. Keep your blinds and curtains closed. If you have gaps around the windows, try using weather stripping or caulk to keep the cold air out.
• Wear warm clothes during the day and use extra blankets at night.

Can I get help with my heating bills?

You may be able to get help paying your heating bill. You can call the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program hotline toll-free at 1-866-674-6327. Or visit them on-line at www.ncat.org

Additionally, an excellent article on hypothermia can be found in the New York Times click here

Wandering Behavior: Preparing for it and Preventing it

If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or a related disorder, during cold weather wandering outside is a grave concern. Studies indicate that six out of 10 people with a dementia will wander. Take steps to prevent wandering by monitoring behavior. Individuals who exhibit the following patterns or behavior are at increased risk to wander and get lost:

• Walks or drives independently, and returns later than usual
• Tries to fulfill previous obligations, such as going to work
• Tries to “go home” even when at home
• Checks for whereabouts for familiar people

Some tips on preventing wandering are:

• Night lights: Place throughout the home
• Locks: Place out of line of sight at top or bottom of doors
• Monitoring devices: Try devices that signal you when a door is opened
• Doors: Cover knobs with cloth the same color as the door or use childproof knobs. Camouflage doors by painting them the same color as the walls.

No matter how much thought and planning go into preventing wandering away, sometimes it still happens. The Alzheimer’s Associations Safe Return program has a high success rate of retuning loved ones with Alzheimer’s safe and sound. For more information and to enroll in Safe Return click here http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_safe_return.asp

For entire fact sheet on Preparing for and Preventing Wandering click here