Cold weather can cruel and unforgiving and therefore we need to make sure that we are taking all the precautions to keep ourselves warm and comfortable. For older people cold weather can create more problems as elderly people are more vulnerable to cold weather conditions and their body does not have the stamina to bear the chilly weather.
Many old people suffer from various health and medical conditions like diabetes making their body vulnerable and weak and therefore a slight drop in the temperature can lead to hypothermia. The National Institute of Aging advices that elderly people should take more precautions during the winter months to ensure that they do not suffer much.
Aging Research
Source by : nia.nih
Here are some tips that can help older people you to stay warm and avoid hypothermia in the right way.
When you are inside you need to ensure that there is enough warmth in the house. Hence, you will need to set the thermostat at the right temperature that can allow old people to stay comfortable. Always keep track on the temperature you have in the house so that you can avoid any possibilities of hypothermia. Old people are prone to hypothermia even if the temperature drops slightly so keep note of that.
Old people suffer from many health conditions and therefore they are usually on over the counter medications that can make their body weak and vulnerable to cold temperature. It is recommended that you get in touch with the doctor to see if these medicines can increase the risk of hypothermia during the cold weather months. If yes, you can ask your doctor to change the medicines that can lower the risk of hypothermia.
Keeping the house warm is a good option, but still you cannot take yourself too lightly. So, make sure that you are wearing long underwear, socks and slippers to keep your body warm at all times. You can also wear hat and winter caps while you are at home and you can make use of thick blanket that can keep your legs warm at all times.
Avoid drinks that can dehydrate you or make you feel cold. Instead you can go for regular routine of hot drinks like soups that can help you to keep your body warm and at the same time provide you with nutrients that can improve your immunity. You also need to take care of your diet and eat nutritious food to provide your body with right amount of vitamins and nutrients. Old people should also drink warm water at regular intervals to keep themselves hydrated even at night time to avoid hypothermia.
Avoid going out too much when the weather is too bad, but when you are going out you need to protect your body and cover it with layers of clothing that can trap your body heat and maximize blood circulation. A hat is really important because lot of heat can be lost through head. Get a nice thick jacket that can help you to cover your body completely while you are outside.
