Baby it’s cold outside! We’ve had colder temperatures, and what people in Arizona call more “weather disturbances,” than we have had in years. You know this is true if you have been housebound for days, and all you can think or talk about is the weather.
Seniors, as well as people with arthritis, back problems or other chronic issues are worried. They worry they may slip and fall, they worry that their cars won’t start, they worry that their furnaces will conk out, and they worry about whether they will be able to pay their heating bill.
You don’t even have to go outside to get in trouble. During this last during cold snap, some cities were asking people to keep their thermostats at 60 degrees to preserve natural resources, but for vulnerable adults who are not physically active this could be a disaster.
Thousands of people die from low body temperature (hypothermia) every year. You may think hypothermia only happens to people trapped outdoors in the Artic, but it is much more common than that. Your normal body temperature of 98.6 can drop into the hypothermic range (which begins at 95 degrees) rather quickly. That may not sound like a very big jump but it is enough to be disastrous to the very young and the very old.
Prevention of course is the key. Take your temperature, a couple of times a day, if it drops down to 95-97 degrees, you may be in trouble. Dress warmly, even when indoors and even when in bed.
Wear a hat with ear flaps to protect vulnerable ears and wear warm woolen socks. Feet, like ears are especially vulnerable, and both are susceptible to the effects of the cold.
Eat well, drink warm fluids and stay as active as possible. Call for help if you experience symptoms such as intense shivering, fatigue and numbness.
Stay indoors and keep the temperature between 65 and 70 degrees. If you are worried and live alone ask a friend or family member to check on you daily. Be careful and keep warm. Spring is right around the corner.
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