Seniors and Winter Weather
As Old Man Winter’s icy grip continues to plague the region, St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions is reminding area residents of the dangers that the bitterly cold temperatures can pose for the older adult population and encouraging them to take steps to ensure that their elderly loved ones remain safe, warm, and out of harm’s way during the Winter.
Older adults lose body heat more quickly than the general population, and are more vulnerable to hypothermia. They do not have to be outdoors for problems to arise, particularly if they feel compelled to lower their thermostat to help with heating costs. Long term exposure to even mild cold temperatures indoors can pose a threat, so it is important to keep a close eye on older loved ones during the bitterly cold weather conditions.
According to MayoClinic.com, hypothermia is defined as a medical emergency that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature that passes below 95 degrees. The symptoms of hypothermia are often subtle and slow to develop, making them difficult to recognize. Warning signs that may indicate the onset of hypothermia include sleepiness, confusion, cold hands and feet, shivering, pale skin, slurred or slow speech, slow or shallow breathing and clumsy or unsteady movements. Hypothermia can cause dehydration, confusion, irregular heartbeat, and if untreated can result in coma or death.
To help individuals keep their elderly loved ones safe, St. Andrew’s encourages you to check daily on elderly friends, relatives, and neighbors who live alone. Encourage older loved ones to stay indoors as much as possible and to keep their thermostat set to 70 degrees. Ensure that older loved ones are dressed appropriate for the weather if they do need to leave the home, and keep in mind that older adults’ senses may be decreased due to chronic medical conditions so they may not as easily gauge how cold the temperatures are. Check to make sure seniors aren’t overexerting themselves. Activities like shoveling snow can strain the heart. Make sure seniors are exercising caution when using fireplaces, woodstoves or space heaters. While these methods of alternative heating can save money on heating bills, they can pose dangers if not used properly. If you suspect that an older loved one is suffering from frostbite, hypothermia or other conditions related to cold weather conditions, seek emergency care right away. These suggestions seem very simple, but with nearly 600 individuals dying from hypothermia each year, they are tips that are critical for ensuring the health and safety of the senior population during the winter months.
The compassionate staff at St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions serves and supports older adults and their families by providing respite care, care management, and nursing services. For more information please contact your Caregiver Specialist at 314-802-5106, toll free 1-888-388-1930 or [email protected].