Why Are The Elderly More Sensitive To Cold?

Younger caregivers and family members may notice that their client or aging loved one feels much colder than they do, which can lead to elevated thermostats and hot stuffy rooms.  While this is normal, it’s important to make sure there are no undetected health issues or other potentially harmful reasons for this.

Once we establish possible causes, family and professional caregivers can take steps to ensure everyone's comfort both indoors and outdoors.

5 Reasons Seniors Tend To Feel More Sensitive To Cold Than Others

There are several reasons why seniors begin to feel cold when others are perfectly comfortable. Here are some of the most common.

Less fat insulation between the skin and muscles

Many seniors begin to lose both muscle and fatty tissues as they age. Assuming they are well-nourished and managing any existing health conditions, this is very normal. However, with the loss of that natural insulation, they’ll start to feel cold at higher temperatures than they did when they were younger. 

If this is the main cause, the easiest ways to support their comfort include:

• Keeping soft, sweaters, jackets, or blankets in easy-to-reach locations.
• Wearing thick, soft socks (always with high-quality non-slip grips to prevent slip/fall accidents).
• Playing with thermostat levels to find their “sweet spot” (however, this can lead to expensive utility costs or increased discomfort of younger caregivers or guests. In that case, sweaters/blankets are a better option).
• Using electric blankets (with auto-shutoff function to reduce fire risk) can be used in a favorite chair and in bed.
• Traveling with extra layers in the car so they’re available when you’re out and about.
• Use space heaters (again, this can be a fire risk, so they should only be used with strict adherence to the manufacturer’s instructions).

A slower metabolism

Along the same lines as reduced fatty tissues, our metabolism slows down with age, impacting circulation and other factors that help regulate our core body temperature and thermostat. A slower heartbeat and reduced circulation mean less warmth. 

Also, some of the receptors that tell our body to constrict the blood vessels and conserve warmth aren’t as efficient as they used to be. This also contributes to the loss of body heat.

All of the tips listed for #1 apply here as well. Extra layers are almost always a partial solution. However, you can also ensure your loved one gets enough exercise, which boosts metabolism and circulation, making them feel warmer. We have several safe senior exercise ideas, depending on the situation.

• Home or chairbound.
• For core strength and stability.
• Improve balance and leg strength.
• To beat the summertime heat.

They’ll warm up during and right after exercising, and that metabolic boost should last for a while afterward.

Finally, drinking warm or hot fluids and foods can also help them feel warm from the inside out. Decaffeinated teas, coffees, hot chocolate (keeping an eye on sugar intake), soups, stews, and oatmeal or cream of wheat are all good ideas. Heating drinks like horchata (a delicious rice milk beverage with warming cinnamon and spices) or their Ensures can also help.

Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions can lead to internal temperature dysregulation or symptoms that include reduced circulation and feeling cold all the time. Some of the most common include:

• Heart or vascular (cardiovascular) disease.
• Diabetes.
• Anemia (low iron and reduced red blood cell count).
• Kidney disease.
• Thyroid problems.
• Infections or illnesses.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs), can present very differently in seniors than in the younger population.

When was the last time your loved one had a thorough physical exam with their GP, including bloodwork and urinalysis? If it’s been more than a year, schedule an appointment and keep their physician updated about the fact they feel cold all the time. 

It’s also worth a check-in with their primary healthcare provider and specialists if:

• These symptoms are new.
• They’re feeling colder than normal.
• They feel cold (even with additional layers) when others are comfortable or hot.
• Feeling cold prevents them from participating in outings or other favorite activities.

Medication side effects can make us more sensitive to cold

On the other side of the medical condition coin is that feeling cold - or the factors that cause us to feel cold - can be a side effect of certain medications. 

For example, both beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers list feeling cold as one of their side effects. In their work to lower blood pressure, these medications also alter circulation, which is known to cause unusually cold hands and feet.

Medications can work against - rather than with - each other. We call this a contraindication. Sometimes, despite healthcare providers’ best efforts, they don’t realize that the combinations or doses of a patient’s medications create avoidable side effects. This is especially common for patients with prescriptions from various doctors and specialists.

In this case, we recommend scheduling a consultation with the pharmacist to review all of their current medications/doses to make sure it’s all as it should be. And, don’t forget that medication management is essential, or the cold they’re feeling could be the result of accidental under- or over-dosing themselves. 

Something is wrong with the home environment, thermostat, or HVAC system

Sometimes, we miss the most obvious answer because we assume it’s a physical rather than environmental issue. Things to think about are:

• Is there a window or door that has been left partially cracked or open?
• Have they changed their thermostat setting since the weather changed (or does it need a new battery)?
• Does the thermostat cycle on/off properly? 
• Is the HVAC updated and tuned up? Just because the system blows air through the vents doesn’t mean it’s conditioned to the thermostat’s temperature setting.
• Does their home have adequate air sealing and weather stripping around windows, doors, and external penetrations?
• Are the attic/exterior walls adequately insulated and sealed?

A few senior-friendly home improvements may be just the thing to keep your loved one more comfortable if neglected home maintenance is causing them to feel cold. If you aren’t able to check on these items yourself, schedule an appointment with a local HVAC technician and insulation contractor to assess the situation. 

Wellness Checks From Licensed Home Care Aides Keep Loved Ones Comfortable

One of the best ways to keep an expert eye on your aging loved one’s well-being is to schedule weekly wellness checks or other in-home care services with a licensed home senior care agency.

HomeAide Home Care caregivers are compassionate companions who can keep their fingers on the pulse of your loved ones’ well-being - including keeping them warm and cozy. We keep in close communication with their designated family member(s) and can intersperse additional home care services as needed. Contact us to schedule an in-home assessment to learn more about your loved one’s needs.