Articles

Staying Warm this Winter

12/21/2015

As the weather gets colder it is essential that the older people who we care for remain warm during the winter months.

Elderly people are more susceptible to the cold than younger people due to physical changes that occur in later life.

It is important to be aware of these changes in order to understand why it is imperative that your loved one is kept comfortable.

There are three major bodily changes in later life:

The Metabolism – In later life our metabolism starts to slow down, and therefore the body becomes much less efficient at generating heat. It also finds it more difficult to maintain a healthy and comfortable body temperature.

The Skin – As we grow older, the changes in our skin can make it much harder to maintain our body heat. Our skin gets thinner due to a reduction in the production of the flexible proteins; elastin and collagen. We also begin to lose the layer of fat that lies just beneath the skin. This loss of insulation makes it much harder to retain our body heat.

Poor Circulation – The thinning of blood vessels in old age affects blood circulation, because narrow vessels mean that the blood cannot pump around the body nearly as efficiently as before.  Poor circulation can result in elderly people feeling colder, particularly in areas that it is harder for the blood to reach, therefore it is important to keep the hands and feet warm. 

Hypothermia and pneumonia are unfortunately heavily associated with elderly people. As a result, here are some hints and tips that you can share with, and help to implement with your loved one:

Energy Efficiency – Making sure your loved one’s home is as energy efficient as possible will help them to remain warm over winter. Insulating the loft and draught proofing their home can make a significant difference to their comfort level in the colder months of the year and will also help to reduce their bills. There are home insulation grants available for elderly people, so if your loved one needs to and has not already done so, it may be well worth discovering whether you are entitled to apply for anything.
 

Wear thick layers – Layering your clothing helps to trap warm air next to your body,  helping to keep your loved one warmer than single thick items of clothing. Cotton, wool and fleece are excellent choices in winter and thermal clothing can be a great comfort.
 

EATING WELL – Your meals are the fuel that helps your body to keep you warm, so eat regular hot meals to keep your body supplied with energy. Slow release carbohydrates will help to keep your loved one going for longer between meals. Soups, stews and hot drinks are great for this purpose.
 

Hat and Scarves – Covering your head can make a huge difference to your body heat as we lose a large amount of heat from our heads. A warm scarf can help you to retain your body heat more efficiently and provides additional warmth.

Written By:

Daniel James
www.danieljamesbio.com
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