{"id":10287,"date":"2018-01-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-01-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeline.philips.com\/resources\/blog\/2018\/01\/5-tips-for-seniors-to-stay-warm-in-winter.html"},"modified":"2023-10-13T09:29:36","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T13:29:36","slug":"5-tips-for-seniors-to-stay-warm-in-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeline.com\/blog\/5-tips-for-seniors-to-stay-warm-in-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Just for Seniors: 5 Ways to Stay Warm This Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Staying warm in the winter seems like good common sense, but it\u2019s not always easy \u2013 especially as we age.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we age, we\u2019re more sensitive to cold weather and we feel cold more easily,\u201d explains Dr. Eugene Emmer, MD, a physiology Ph.D. and founder of RehaDesign Wheelchair Accessories<\/a>. He ought to know. He comes from Lithuania, which he calls \u201ca cold little country in Northern Europe\u201d. \u201cWe not only feel colder, we are colder. For example, on average a woman\u2019s mean body temperature decreases from 97.7 F in her twenties to 97.3 F in her sixties.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tips For Overcoming Physiology and Staying Warm This Winter<\/h2>\n

1. Keep the heat in<\/h3>\n

\u201cYou may be surprised at how a few small changes can make all the difference in your home,\u201d says Peter Ross, CEO of Senior Helpers<\/a> in Towson, MD. Check your heating system, fireplaces, and window and door seals for leaks and drafts. Your local power company may offer free home energy audits, and may also provide financial assistance for winterizing seniors\u2019 homes. Check with your electric or gas utility or your county council on aging for resources. You can also put up heavy curtains to insulate large windows and glass doors. \u201cDraping tapestries and other woven fabric over windows and walls is one of the ways castles were kept warmer in past times,\u201d explains Austin, TX artist and designer Pablo Solomon, \u201cand the Sioux and other Native American tribes survived sub-zero temperatures by layering their teepees.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Get moving<\/h3>\n

\u201cMovement is one of the main ways our bodies generate heat,\u201d says Emmer. \u201cLow-mobility seniors obviously generate less heat and will have to do more to retain the heat that their bodies generate. In addition, many low-mobility seniors will have other medical issues, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc., which can also cause them to regulate body temperature less efficiently.\u201d Talk to your doctor about your capacity for safe physical activity<\/a> and what you can do to move your way to warmth.<\/p>\n

3. Bundle up<\/h3>\n

Dressing warmly helps you avoid the cold<\/a> in your home and on the go. \u201cWhen outside, seniors should wear layers, a button-up sweater — easier to pull on than a pullover — good-quality boots with removable insoles to allow for faster drying, and a warm hat,\u201d says Rick Lauber, a former caregiver for both of his aging parents, and author of The Successful Caregiver\u2019s Guide<\/a>. Layering works indoors, too, making it easier to regulate your temperature. Keep a throw blanket or shawl nearby for added coziness.<\/p>\n

4. Take advantage of sunlight<\/h3>\n

Even on the coldest days, the sun can warm you up and raise your spirits. Get outside if you can or sit by a window. \u201cUtilize the warmth of the sun coming in your windows,\u201d Solomon suggests. \u201cAllow the sun to shine in.\u201d<\/p>\n

5. Create heat<\/h3>\n

There are lots of products on the market that help you stay warm, such as heated mattress pads, massagers with heat controls, and good old heating pads. These items are useful, but must be used with care. Our skin becomes thinner when we age and can be more susceptible to burns. Don\u2019t use these devices for long periods and remember to turn them off when not in use.<\/p>\n

What you definitely don\u2019t want to do is increase the risk of fires and burns. Here\u2019s some advice for keeping warm and safe from the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center<\/a> in Chapel Hill:<\/p>\n