One thing that I learned
this semester that surprised me is our body’s temperature regulation. More
specifically, how cold most elderly people get. It was the middle of the summer
for us on our fieldwork and there were patients wearing sweaters and blankets.
One day at my job there was a patient that had his window open…in June! According
to the Mayo Clinic, “An older person may develop mild hypothermia after
prolonged exposure to indoor temperatures that would be tolerable to a younger
or healthier adult — for example, temperatures in a poorly heated home or in an
air-conditioned home.” ("Hypothermia," 2011). So basically, if they tell you they are cold,
you better believe them! As most of you
know, I am about as hot natured as it gets so I cannot fathom being cold in the
middle of the summer. But hey, maybe
that is something to look forward to!!
As we age, our body’s
subcutaneous tissue begins to atrophy which gives the elderly thinner skin,
making it hard for them to regulate their temperature. THIS CAN BE VERY
DANGEROUS! Hypothermia can slowly set in and, if so, actions need to be taken. Our
normal body temperature is around 98.6 F, and hypothermia sets in as your body
passes below 95 F. If someone is showing some of the signs below, take their
temperature and, if necessary, call 911. Here are some warning signs to look for:
- shivering (or not shivering when cold)
- abnormally slow breathing
- cold, pale skin
- loss of coordination
- fumbling hands
- slurred speech
- lethargy
- fatigue
- exhaustion
- confusion
- memory loss
- drowsiness
In the first 1m25sec of this video you will see another interesting theory on why the elderly are always cold. :)
Information taken from:
Donahue, J. (2004, October
25). The cold facts about hypothermia in our elderly. Retrieved from http://www.caregivershome.com/news/practical.cfm?UID=4
Hypothermia. (2011,
June 8). Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothermia/DS00333/DSECTION=symptoms
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