Harsh Winter And High Energy Bills Raise Seniors’ Risk Of Hypothermia

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Harsh Winter And High Energy Bills Raise Seniors’ Risk Of Hypothermia

Hypothermia, a potentially fatal condition in which the body’s temperature drops for a prolonged period, says a National Institute on Aging (NIA) scientist.

“Cold indoor temperatures can be dangerous for older people,” says Dr. Richard Havlik, MD, MPH, Chief of NIA’s Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry. Hypothermia (hi-po-ther-mee-uh) can occur when the body’s temperature drops below 96° F (35.5° C), down from the body’s usual temperature of 98.6° F (37° C). Even a couple of degrees can have a devastating effect if not noticed quickly and treated properly.

Hypothermia is a particular problem for older people who suffer from such conditions as arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, thyroid deficiency, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease, or take medications such as tranquilizers, sleeping pills, or antidepressants, Dr. Havlik said.

Dr. Havlik recommends that people over 60 set their thermostat at 68°F - 70°F in living or sleeping areas to avoid hypothermia. If the thermostat is set in the 60s, dress warmly, or if possible, stay under an electric blanket, he suggests. To meet these increased energy needs, low-income seniors may be eligible for federal fuel assistance and home winterization programs.

“With this winter’s rising energy costs, everyone must exercise special vigilance in protecting themselves and others from hypothermia, a highly preventable condition,” Dr. Havlik says. To prevent hypothermia, the NIA recommends:

	Ask your doctor if the prescription drugs or other over-the-counter drugs you take can affect body temperature regulation.
	Dress warmly in layers of clothing even when indoors.
	Wear warm clothing to bed and use blankets.
	Ask friends or neighbors to look in once or twice a day if you live alone.
	See if your local community has a telephone check-in or personal visit service.
	Use alcohol moderately, if at all. Avoid alcohol altogether near bedtime.
	Consume hot foods and liquids to raise your body temperature and keep warm.

To determine if an older person is suffering from hypothermia, watch for the “umbles" -- stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles, which show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness. Specific symptoms include:

1) Confusion or sleepiness

2) Slowed, slurred speech, or shallow breathing

3) Weak pulse; low blood pressure

4) A change in behavior during cold weather or a change in the way a person looks

5) Chilly rooms or other signs that the person has been in a cold place

6) Excess shivering or no shivering in a cold room; stiffness in the arms or legs

7) Poor control over body movements or slow reactions

One sure way to detect hypothermia is by taking a person's temperature. A temperature below 96°F will not register on many oral thermometers. If the temperature reading is at or below 96°F, call 911 immediately. If emergency help is not available right away, move the hypothermic person to a warmer location, and wrap him or her in a warm blanket to stop further heat loss. You can also use your own body heat to keep the person warm. Be gentle and do not rub the skin roughly to get circulation going.