A hot afternoon or a drafty night can turn into a worry fast when someone you love is sensitive to the weather. If you are wondering what temperatures are dangerous for the elderly, both cold and hot, this guide lays it out in plain words.
It covers high and low temperatures, the signs of dehydration, heatstroke and hypothermia, and what to do about each. It also covers the best bedroom temperature for seniors sleeping, and how to keep a home temperature steady and check it.
What High Temperatures Are Dangerous For The Elderly Outdoors?
Heat illness can happen well below 90˚ F (32˚ C), especially when it is humid. Outdoor temperatures above 105˚ Fahrenheit (40˚ Celsius) are considered a risk for adults, and older adults can have trouble at lower temperatures than that. Check with their doctor about what is safe for them.
However, it is important to factor humidity into the equation. Humidity is moisture in the air that raises the actual outdoor temperature. Zero humidity will result in a slight drop in temperature so that outdoor temperatures feel cooler. The higher the humidity, the greater the increase in temperature.
What High Temperatures Are Dangerous For The Elderly Indoors?
Comfortable room temperature is generally considered to be 77˚ F (25˚ C). For the elderly, a slightly lower temperature of 74˚ F (23˚ C) is recommended during summer. However, if the specific individual/s find this temperature to be too low, the thermostat on an air conditioning or ducted system should be set slightly higher.
RELATED: Best Thermostats for the Elderly
However, it is not recommended to set the temperature higher than this. Higher temperatures are ideal for bacteria and other microorganisms to proliferate which could be a hazard for seniors who are often more prone to contracting illnesses and diseases.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Dehydration, Heatstroke Or Heat Exhaustion?
Dehydration
Exposure to high temperatures, especially for an extended period of time can result in dehydration. Dehydration is the loss of fluid that occurs through perspiration, respiration and urination. This loss of fluid can result in a variety of mild to severe health issues.
An electrolyte imbalance is the most common side-effect of dehydration and basically means the loss of essential minerals and trace elements primarily from sweating. Severe dehydration can lead to organs shutting down and kidney failure.
Seniors and their caregivers should be aware of the following signs and symptoms of dehydration:
- Dry mouth, skin (especially the lips) and eyes.
- Mild to extreme thirst.
- Feeling light-headed, dizzy or faint, especially when standing up after sitting or lying down.
- Tiredness or feeling lethargic and lack of energy.
- Reduced urination (peeing less often).
- Urine that is darker in color and has a strong odor.
- Muscle cramps and weakness.
How To Treat Dehydration
Prevention is always better than cure, and drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated. Although other liquids can replace fluids in the body, they should not be substituted for water. Ask their doctor how much to drink, especially with heart or kidney conditions or water pills, and expect to need more on hot days or when active.
Activity, especially intense activity, should be avoided on hot days. If any of the signs or symptoms start appearing, move indoors, sip water, and call their doctor if symptoms do not ease quickly. For severe dehydration, seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Heatstroke Or Heat Exhaustion (Hyperthermia)
Heatstroke or heat exhaustion happens when the body overheats. It occurs due to exposure to high temperatures for extended periods of time or being active on hot days. It can also occur as a result of direct exposure to the sun referred to as sunstroke. The elderly are extremely susceptible to heatstroke as their bodies do not cool as effectively.
It is imperative to seek medical assistance and treatment for heatstroke as soon as possible especially for seniors. Untreated, heatstroke can result in heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, damage to the brain, muscle damage and more.
Be aware of the following signs and symptoms of heatstroke:
- Red or flushed sin particularly on the face, neck or upper chest area.
- Increased body temperature. An internal measurement exceeding 104˚ F (40˚ C) is a clear sign of heatstroke that is serious.
- Skin that feels dry and hot to the touch due to a lack of perspiration.
- Rapid breathing and racing heart.
- Altered state of mind resulting in confusion, slurred speech, irritability, agitation, delirium and/or aggression.
- Nausea and/or vomiting.
- Seizures or coma.
How To Treat Heatstroke
Heatstroke is extremely serious and can be even more severe for the elderly. Call 911 first if any of the signs and symptoms of heatstroke are noticeable. While you wait, move the person to shade or air conditioning, loosen their clothing, and cool the skin with cool wet cloths or a cool bath if safe. Give small sips of water only if they are fully alert. Even mild heatstroke can be dangerous and needs to be treated medically as soon as possible.
What Cold Temperatures Are Dangerous For The Elderly?
Cold temperatures are not just uncomfortable for seniors but can quickly result in a serious condition called hypothermia before they are even aware of it. Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat and is unable to produce sufficient heat to replace the warmth that has been lost.
Generally, a body temperature of below 95˚F (35˚ C) results in hypothermia. This can happen in cold weather outdoors or due to temperature settings being too low indoors. In fact, hypothermia can occur in the middle of summer for those who spend extended periods of time indoors with the air conditioning set too low.
An indoor temperature of around 77˚ F (25˚ C) is considered ideal but not below 69˚ F (21˚ C). For the elderly, a more comfortable room temperature between those two may be more suitable to avoid a drop in body temperature. Air conditioner temperature may need to be increased at night especially while sleeping. Body temperature drops naturally while sleeping meaning that exposure to colder temperatures is more likely to lead to hypothermia.
The bedroom temperature section below covers the best sleep temperatures for seniors if you would like to learn more about that specifically.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms of Hypothermia?
Hypothermia can lead to serious health problems including coma, heart attack, kidney failure, liver damage and if not treated may be fatal. The risk is higher for the elderly who have greater difficult with regulating their own heat. They have greater difficulty generating heat to warm themselves once their core temperature begins to drop.
It can be difficult to detect the early warning signs and symptoms of hypothermia. It is therefore critical to be aware of the following early signs and symptoms and look out for when they do occur:
- Cold extremities (hands and feet).
- Pallid skin and puffy or swollen face.
- Slowed speech or slurring.
- Acting sleepy or intoxicated.
- Shivering and/or goose-bumps.
- Feeling confused and agitated.
Later signs of hypothermia may include:
- Clumsiness and moving or walking slowly with stiff, jerky movements.
- Slow and shallow breathing and/or slow heartbeat.
- Loss of consciousness.
How To Treat Hypothermia?
If you see signs of hypothermia, call 911 or emergency services right away. While you wait, move them somewhere warm, remove damp clothes, and wrap them in dry blankets, starting with the chest and trunk. Warm drinks are fine only if they are fully awake. Do not use heating pads, electric blankets or hot water bottles, since they can burn the skin.
If the later signs of hypothermia present, it is critical to seek medical attention for an elderly person immediately. Take steps to warm the senior up while waiting for emergency services or getting to the emergency room.
Keeping A Home Temperature Steady And Checking It
Since a room that runs too hot or too cold can cause trouble, the goal is a home that holds one steady temperature day and night. A heating and cooling system with an easy to use thermostat is the simplest way to get there. Many have a plain digital display, and some also show humidity.
The sensors need to sit in the rooms where your loved one spends the most time, bedroom included. A thermostat in a hallway they rarely enter can report a number that has little to do with how their room feels.
A digital thermometer in each of those rooms is a good double check. It gives an accurate reading within seconds, and it is much easier to use than the old mercury kind.
Some digital thermometers and thermostats connect to a phone or computer. That lets you see the temperature from anywhere and change it from a distance if your loved one cannot.
The catch is that remote checking only helps if someone is actually looking. If your loved one cannot adjust the temperature on their own, they will need to call you, and you will need to be the one to make the change.
Best Bedroom Temperature For Seniors Sleeping
For most older adults, the best bedroom temperature for sleeping is between 66° and 70°F.
Room temperature matters because the body can have a harder time holding a steady temperature, sometimes because of a health issue. If a senior is having trouble sleeping at night, a room that is too warm or too cool could be the reason. Seniors need at least seven hours of sleep to stay healthy. If you are curious about why older adults often sleep so much, there is a separate article on why elderly people sleep so much.
During the day, while a senior is up and moving around, the comfortable average is 78°. The lowest temperature that is still healthy is 65°. Anywhere between 65° and 78° should be comfortable, which is why you may see someone wearing layers or a favorite knitted sweater.
If a senior prefers colder temperatures than that, a health related issue may be involved. Hyperthyroidism is one example.
You could provide blankets, but a room set to the right temperature is the better fix.
Keeping the room at the right temperature
The easiest way to hold a steady temperature is a central heating and cooling system with a thermostat that is easy to control. Many have a simple digital display. Some show humidity along with temperature, and some connect to a smartphone.
Place the sensors where the senior spends the most time, including the bedroom. A thermostat cannot read the room correctly if it sits somewhere the senior rarely goes.
Without central heating, get a thermometer and a separate heater for the bedroom. That lets the senior control the room at night.
Checking the temperature with a thermometer
Digital thermometers have replaced mercury ones. They give an accurate reading within seconds and are easier to use. Put one in each room where the senior spends time, such as the family room, the bedroom and their bathroom.
If you connect them to your phone or computer, you can check the rooms from anywhere. If the senior cannot adjust the temperature, they can call you and you can change it remotely. When choosing one, look at the design, speed, readability and accuracy, and read the online ratings.
These ranges are averages for most seniors. A health condition or a strong personal preference may mean a different temperature suits your loved one better.
Wrapping Up
Some people lose part of their ability to adjust quickly to temperature changes. To avoid problems, most seniors do better in temperatures between 69˚ F (21˚ C) and 77˚ F (25˚ C). Much warmer can lead to dehydration or heat stroke. Much colder and hypothermia could result.
If you are with a senior that seems to be too cold or too hot, get them to a neutral temperature area immediately and call for help.
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Great article! As an elderly person myself, I find it so important to be aware of the potential dangers of extreme temperatures, especially during the winter months. I’ve experienced firsthand how even mild exposure to cold can quickly become dangerous, so I’m grateful for the tips and advice provided in this post. Thank you for sharing!