Healthy Aging Healthy Aging Basics

Saving Seniors from the Winter Chill

It’s cold outside. And as you bundle your child into his or her heavy winter coat, hat and gloves, are you forgetting to take care of the other important loved ones in your life?

The wintry chill brings more than just a need for extra layers, for the elderly it also brings additional worries over heating costs, slippery surfaces and general safety. But seniors are especially prone to hypothermia, when their body temperature drops to dangerous levels.

The good news is that there are steps seniors can take to prevent a cold-weather catastrophe:

Staying Warm Inside

• Keep the Heat On. The thermostat should not be set to a temperature lower than 65 degrees, even when you are not at home. This will prevent pipes from freezing and keep the house warm enough to prevent hypothermia.


• Block Drafts. If heating bills are an issue, cover the windows with heavy plastic sheets and caulk the windows to avoid drafts.


• Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Fuel-burning heaters and appliances emit carbon monoxide, a potentially deadly gas. These appliances pose an even greater hazard in the winter, when windows are closed and ventilation is poor. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be checked once a year to ensure that they are still functional.


• Protect Your Skin. Skin tends to get dry and crack in the dry heat created by furnaces, so use heavy creams and lotions to keep your skin soft.


• Eat a well-balanced diet. Food provides your body the energy to stay warm. Avoid alcohol. While alcohol may make you feel warm inside, it is not truly raising your body temperature in a meaningful way.

Staying Safe Outside

• Dress Warmly. It may seem like a no-brainer, but even for a walk down the block, make sure to protect yourself against the cold. And always wear a hat, 30 to 50 percent of your body heart is lost through your head, so this is the best way to keep your body warm.


• Don’t Over Do it. Shoveling snow takes a lot of strength and since the cold weather puts an additional strain on the heart, it may be too much for seniors. If you do shovel, stretch beforehand and take frequent breaks. Even better, ask the kid from the house across the street to do it.


• Avoid Slips and Falls. Wear thick, rubber-soled boots and replace the rubber tips on canes and walkers to prevent them from slipping out underneath you.
• Winterize your Car. Add snow tires, make sure they are correctly inflated and keep your fuel tank full.