Cold Weather Presents Threat to Seniors

Hypothermia is a Serious Concern

Cold weather kills 500% more people ages 85+ and 100% more seniors ages 75-84 than adults ages 18-74, according to the Center for Disease Control. “Our senior care auditors are trained to look for symptoms of hypothermia and know what to do,” says Rhonda Harper, Founder and CEO, Penrose Senior Care Auditors® and PenroseCertified®.

Why are seniors more susceptible to cold?

• Lower Tolerance to Cold – Many seniors can suffer from low body temperature when exposed to environments where younger people have little or no change.
• Medications – Many prescription medications such as anti-depressants, sedatives, tranquilizers and cardiovascular drugs prevent the body from regulating temperature normally.
• Elderly who are Frail – These patients or loved ones have a combined disadvantage to the frigid winter weather. Those who are ill may be on some of the medication mentioned previously and they are also in more compromised physical state.
• Financially Disadvantaged – In housing that is not properly winterized, exposure to cold temperatures increase the concern of hypothermia. The poor who can not afford adequate heat and do not have well ventilated and heated homes are at risk.
• Seniors Who Live Alone – Elderly patients or loved ones who live alone or live in rural areas are also more susceptible to hypothermia.

Here are 10 top symptoms associated with hypothermia to look for in seniors:

1. Shivering – Shivering is a sign that the body can not get warm. Seniors sometimes do not illicit shiver responses however so if the patent is not shivering it does not guarantee they are not cold.
2. Slowed Breathing and Heart Rate – both are symptoms of low body temperatures
3. Skin – Skin may be cold to the touch especially lower body. arms, hands and feet. Skin appearance may be pale or show purplish blue or pink, ruddy splotches.
4. Face – If you notice the elderly patients face is puffy or swollen this can be an important sign especially if there are other symptoms combined.
5. Muscles – Stiff muscles especially the neck, arms, and legs, limited use of appendages or trampling are a concern.
6. Consciousness – Patients can still maintain consciousness when the body registers 80 degree. However an elderly patient may be experiencing hypothermia even if their body temperature seems to be within the normal levels.
7. Confusion – Confusion will steadily progress as the body temperature lowers. The senior could become disoriented and unfamiliar with their environment and memory can be affected.
8. Balance – The senior may demonstrate a lack of coordination and be off balance and have jerky movements when walking or holding items.
9. Apathy – A senior with hypothermia may act as if they do not care what happens to them. Because of this psychological symptom and because it is silent and they are not aware hypothermia has occurred.
10. Hostility – A patient may not behave normally. An otherwise easy-going patient may respond irritably and with hostility when the caretaker tries to bring the senior to safety.

If you believe a senior has hypothermia:

• Call an ambulance right away
• Be careful handling the patient – the heart is weak when the biddy is cold, sudden movements can cause injury and even death.
• Keep them warm with layers of blankets and clothing
• Do not try an warm them up with devices or hot baths
• Do not give them food or drinks
• Do not raise the patients feet if they have lost consciousness. Doing so brings blood back to the mid section of the body and set the temperature regulation back even further.