Do you know how to prevent hypothermia in the elderly? The elderly lose body heat faster than when they were young. Changes that occur in the body as they age can make it harder for an elderly person to catch a cold. When an elderly person is exposed to a cold before they know what is happening, a severe cold can become a dangerous problem, doctors call this serious problem hypothermia.
You should know that hypothermia means an excessive decrease in body temperature and it occurs when the body temperature of the elderly drops below 36 degrees Celsius. Hypothermia can cause many health problems such as heart attack, kidney problems and liver damage or worse. Continue reading this article from Human Health Mag to learn about ways to prevent hypothermia in the elderly.
What Is Hypothermia?
Hypothermia is an abnormal decrease in the body’s core temperature below 35 degrees Celsius. When the temperature drops, the brain, heart, and other vital organs slow down, and the body diverts blood flow away from the skin and extremities to conserve energy. This condition occurs in cold weather, prolonged exposure to cold water, wet clothing, strong winds, high altitudes, or even in cold, poorly ventilated rooms. If not diagnosed quickly, it can lead to tissue damage, irregular heartbeat, and in severe cases, cardiac arrest. Therefore, prevention of hypothermia in the elderly is very important.
Hypothermia can occur at any age and gender, but infants, the elderly, inactive people, and those who use alcohol or certain medications are at higher risk. To prevent your elderly parent from getting frostbite, you should be familiar with caring for elderly in cold weather. Of course, in addition to the general effects, frostbite can also lead to tissue frostbite in areas exposed to the cold. In this case, blood flow is reduced. Recognizing early symptoms such as severe shivering, pale skin, numbness in the fingers, and drowsiness helps us take action before the damage progresses. Frostbite is most common in the extremities, such as the fingers, toes, ears, and nose, but can also affect the following:
- Cold back pain in the form of spasms and muscle pain caused by prolonged contraction in a cold environment
- Cold hands, frostbite of the fingers, frostbite of the skin of the hands, and frostbite of the hands with numbness, whiteness, and tingling
- Cold feet and toes, frostbite of the toes, feeling of frostbite of the feet with burning pain after warming
- Cold face and frostbite of the skin of the face in the form of redness, numbness, and blisters when exposed to cold wind
- Frost feeling in the head with headache caused by vasoconstriction and heat loss
- Cold eyes with temporary blurred vision, tearing, and extreme sensitivity to light in wind and snow
Types of Hypothermia
To prevent hypothermia in the elderly, you should familiarize yourself with its types. Hypothermia is divided into mild, moderate, and severe based on core temperature and severity of symptoms, and tissue frostbite is classified based on the depth of the damage. In mild hypothermia, the person shivers but responds, the shivering may stop at a moderate level, and confusion and slowness of movement occur. If frostbite is severe, consciousness is lost and cardiorespiratory complications occur. In frostbite, we also proceed from superficial forms with numbness and body numbness and whiteness to deep forms with blood blisters, bruising, and necrosis. We will introduce the types of hypothermia below:
| Type of Frostbite | Features | Skin Findings | Initial Action |
| Initial frostbite | Numbness and whiteness of skin; tingling | Redness after warming | Warm in 37–39°C water, change wet clothing |
| Superficial frostbite | Clear blisters within 24–48 hours | White or gray skin, pain after warming | Sterile dressing, elevation of limb |
| Deep frostbite | Deep tissue damage, blood blister | Bruising, permanent numbness | Specialized treatment, prevention of refreezing |
| Severe frostbite | Extensive necrosis and tissue loss | Blackening and stiffness of the limb | Emergency care in a well-equipped facility |
Signs of Hypothermia
Before we get to know the methods of prevention of hypothermia in the elderly, it is better to know what the symptoms of this condition are. The most important signs of hypothermia are:
- Cold hands and feet
- Puffy face
- Pale skin
- Shivering (although in some cases of hypothermia, shivering is not present)
- Slowed speech or stuttering
- Appearing sleepy
- Feeling angry or confused
- Slowed movements, difficulty walking or clumsiness
- Stiffness in the arms and legs
- Slowed heart rate
- Slow and shallow breathing
- Fainting and loss of consciousness
Causes of Hypothermia
To prevent hypothermia in the elderly, you need to know what causes it. Hypothermia occurs when a person is exposed to cold air or cold water for a long time, wet and tight clothing, strong winds, fatigue, malnutrition, alcohol consumption, some sedatives, and diseases that impair temperature regulation. Even at not very low temperatures, core temperature can drop if a person is immobile or poorly dressed. Children and the elderly are at greater risk because of their poor thermoregulation. Causes of frostbite include:
- Exposure to cold, windy mountains and high altitudes
- Fall in cold water or work in a damp, wet environment
- Inadequate, wet or clingy clothing that reduces insulation
- Malnutrition, lack of sleep, fatigue and reduced muscle mass
- Alcohol and sleeping pills that impair shivering and judgment
- Thyroid disease, diabetes, stroke, spinal cord injury and sepsis
- The risk of frostbite increases if a person is exposed to cold temperatures for a long time, cold temperatures are accompanied by wind, and if the person is at high altitude.
Prevention of Hypothermia in the Elderly
For prevention of hypothermia in the elderly, it is best to stay home when the weather is cold and windy. Close the doors of rooms you are not using, make sure that the windows are not open, and use weather stripping. If necessary, place a rolled-up towel behind the door seams.
When you go outside, do not stay in the cold or wind for a long time. When leaving the house, wear several layers of clothing. Wearing two or three thin, loose layers of clothing provides more warmth than one thick layer of clothing. Be careful not to get wet, as getting wet will cause you to shiver quickly. If you start shivering, return home immediately; shivering may be a warning sign of a drop in body temperature.
Nutritional Recommendations for Prevention of Hypothermia in the Elderly
In general, the elderly are more susceptible to malnutrition than the young and middle-aged, and this disorder can be exacerbated in the cold season for various reasons. Therefore, you should follow nutritional tips for prevention of hypothermia in the elderly. Most doctors consider cold weather to be a factor in exacerbating the elderly’s susceptibility to various diseases such as colds and flu. For this reason, one of the best cold weather safety for older adults is to strengthen the immune system by consuming at least three meals from the four food groups and physical activity. From the fruit and vegetable group, consuming oranges, lemons, grapefruits, potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, spinach, cabbage and broccoli play a very key role in preventing diseases.
It is better to prepare vegetables in steamed form for the elderly, who often face dental problems, so that this group does not have any obstacles to their consumption. Also, consuming milk and dairy products is very beneficial for bone and muscle health and preventing osteoporosis. Consuming various types of meat, seeds and grains that are rich in fiber also prevents malnutrition in the elderly, especially in cold seasons.
Eating with the family, consuming soup daily, walking and doing physical activity, consuming main meals (missing a meal causes a drop in blood sugar and dizziness and causes overeating at the next meal. Therefore, if the elderly is not hungry, it is better to eat the meal later, but it should not be omitted) and increasing the number of meals to 5 to 6 times a day are among the effective strategies in preventing malnutrition in the elderly.
How to Treat Hypothermia in the Elderly
Safety measures you can take to prevent hypothermia in the elderly or treat a person with hypothermia include:
- Try to move the person to a warmer place.
- Wrap the person in a warm blanket, towel, or coat.
- Give the person a warm drink, but avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine, such as coffee.
- Do not massage the person’s legs or arms.
- Avoid warming the person in a bath.
Note that frostbitten areas should not be rubbed and direct heating of the area should be avoided. In frostbite, the affected areas should be gradually placed in warm water at 40 degrees for 30 minutes.
Concluding Remarks
In this article, we have outlined the prevention of hypothermia in the elderly. In general, hypothermia or frostbite is a serious but preventable condition that can be prevented by recognizing the symptoms, taking prompt action, and following standard warming principles. If you are exposed to extreme cold, wet clothing, or wind, take proper planning and equipment seriously. In the event of moderate to severe symptoms or deep frostbite, immediate medical attention is essential. Proper care, follow-up, and education can save lives and limbs and enable a quick return to daily activities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between Frostbite and Hypothermia?
Hypothermia is related to the temperature of the whole body and affects the brain, heart and breathing, but frostbite or frostbite is localized tissue damage from direct contact with cold. A person may have both hypothermia and frostbite of the fingers or face at the same time. Symptoms of hypothermia are systemic, while frostbite is characterized by numbness, whiteness and blistering of the affected area. The treatment approach is also different and should cover both aspects.
What to do for Hypothermia of the Hand?
First, go to a warm environment and remove rings and jewelry so that they do not get stuck with swelling. Warm the hand in water at 37 to 39 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes and avoid placing it near a flame or rubbing it vigorously. After color and sensation return, keep the hand dry, elevated, and place sterile gauze between the fingers and apply a loose bandage. If there is a bloody blister, bruising or persistent numbness, see a doctor.
What Is First aid for Hypothermia?
First aid includes moving to a warm environment, changing wet clothing, covering with a blanket, and offering a warm, nonalcoholic drink. In case of frostbite, warm the limb in water at 37 to 39 degrees and avoid rubbing, direct heat, and walking on the frozen limb. Monitor the airway, breathing, and circulation, and call 911 for moderate to severe symptoms. Move slowly, as vigorous movement can cause arrhythmia.
What Is the Skin Color in Severe Hypothermia?
In deep frostbite, the skin may initially be white or waxy gray, then turn blue and dark. After warming, bloody blisters and mottled areas appear, and sensation may be reduced. In severe hypothermia, the lips and fingernails turn blue or purple, a sign of oxygen deprivation. These patterns are warning signs and require immediate evaluation.
How to deal with Hypothermia?
Effective frostbite treatment starts with prevention and includes wearing layers of clothing, a hat and gloves, waterproof shoes, and planning warm breaks. At the first signs, seek shelter immediately, change out of wet clothing, and drink a warm, nonalcoholic beverage. Warm the numb limb with lukewarm water and avoid rubbing or direct heat. Call 911 for moderate to severe cases or neurological or cardiac symptoms.