As temperatures continues to drop, make sure you are ready to stay healthy and safe in the cold weather! When you get older, you may lose body heat faster than when you were younger, and it can be hard to realize you are getting too cold. A dangerously low body temperature is called hypothermia, and it can cause other health problems, like a heart attack, kidney problems, and liver damage. The National Institute on Aging offers tips to avoid getting too cold this winter, including:
Make sure that your house is warm enough at all times – this means setting your heat at 68°F or higher and making sure that you are not losing heat through your home’s windows. If you’re concerned about the high costs of heat, you can look contact the National Energy Assistance Referral Service for information about financial assistance.
Dress warmly, both inside and outside. This might mean wearing long underwear, ensuring that you have enough blankets to sleep with, and wearing a hat and gloves.
Eat enough food to maintain your body weight, and drink moderately, if at all. Body fat helps you retain heat, and excess alcohol can make you lose body heat.
Talk to your doctors—they can help you learn how to stay active, tell you if any medications you are taking will affect your body heat, and help you understand the warning signs of hypothermia.