If you’re like most people, you get cold from time to time throughout the winter. What you may not realize is that simply being chilly may make you quite sick. Older people lose body heat at a quicker rate than younger people. Changes in your body that occur as you age might make it more difficult for you to notice when you are feeling chilly. Before an older adult realizes it, they may have developed hypothermia. Follow this winter safety guide to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Bundle Up
A strong breeze may quickly reduce your body temperature. Check the forecast for windy and chilly days. Try to remain inside or in a warm environment on those days. If you must go out, dress warmly and don’t stay out in the cold and wind for an extended period of time.
Here are more tips:
- If your garments become moist or wet, change them immediately away.
- If it’s snowing, put on a waterproof coat or jacket.
- Wear a cap and scarf. When your head and neck are exposed, you lose a lot of body heat.
- Wear layers of clothes that are not too tight. Warmth is provided by the air between the layers.
- If you must go out on a chilly, cold, or rainy day, dress appropriately.
Keep Warm Indoors
Living in a chilly house, apartment, or other structure might result in hypothermia. Hypothermia can occur in a nursing home or group facility if the rooms are not maintained warm enough. If you know someone who is in a group facility, keep an eye on the indoor temperature and whether or not that individual is clothed warmly enough.
People who are ill may have difficulty staying warm. Dress warmly and don’t allow it to get too cold inside. Even if you have your thermostat set between 60°F and 65°F, your home or apartment may be too cold to keep you safe. This is especially problematic if you live alone since no one else can sense the chilliness of the house or detect if you are experiencing hypothermia symptoms.
Watch Out for Hypothermia
It is important to identify the symptoms of hypothermia as early as possible and stop it from progressing into a deadly condition.
Early symptoms of hypothermia include:
- Anger
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Slurred or slow speech
- Trembling
- Puffy face
- Pale skin
- Cold hands and feet
Late symptoms of hypothermia include:
- Going unconscious or blacking out
- Slow and shallow breathing
- Slow heart rate
- Stiff or jerky movements
- Moving slowly, having difficulty walking, or being clumsy
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