Older adults have an increased risk of cold injury
Older adults are more likely to have a cold injury, especially hypothermia, because:
- Their normal body temperature may decrease with age.
- They cannot regulate their body temperature as well. They do not produce as much heat energy. They also have less body fat.
- Their blood vessels do not narrow (constrict) and conserve body heat as easily.
- They do not shiver as much. Shivering warms the body.
- Their mental awareness of changes in temperatures may change.
- They have medical conditions that increase their risk for hypothermia. Some of these conditions include:
- Arthritis.
- Thyroid disease.
- History of a stroke.
- Alzheimer's disease.
- Parkinson's disease.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Poor nutrition.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Body infection (sepsis).
- Skin conditions, such as psoriasis.
- They are more likely to be using medicines that may affect their response to cold.
- They may live alone and have fewer resources to keep them safe from cold injury. They are more likely to have poorly heated homes.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: August 24, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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