Winter has most definitely hit Australia with the country getting colder by the day. If you are caring for an older adult, it\u2019s important to be aware of the risks that winter brings for them.<\/p>\n
Older adults lose body heat faster than when they were younger, and if they are too cold for too long, they can get very sick. Changes in the body that come with ageing can also make it harder for older adults to notice that they are getting cold and a chill can become a serious problem before they realise. In severe cases, they may end up with hypothermia<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when the body temperature gets very low. A study conducted across The\u00a0Alfred and Sandringham\u00a0emergency departments<\/a> found 217 people presented to the emergency department with hypothermia\u00a0between 2009 and 2016. Of those, 11 per cent died.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An elderly person living in a cold house can get hypothermia as they typically have more problems keeping warm than younger people. As such, it is important to ensure it doesn’t get too cold inside and they are dressed warmly.<\/p>\n
The following are some additional tips for keeping warm while you’re inside:<\/p>\n
Check the weather forecast before going outside with your loved one, as a strong, cold wind can quickly lower their body temperature. On particularly cold, windy days, encourage your loved one to stay inside, or if they have to go out ensure they are wearing warm clothes, and don’t stay outside in the cold for too long.<\/p>\n
It can be difficult to tell if someone has hypothermia, but it is important to be aware of the typical signs and monitor your elderly loved one. The following are some of the early signs of hypothermia<\/a> to look out for:<\/p>\n
As always, contact a doctor if you notice something out of the ordinary with your elderly loved one. They are in the best position to offer advice and support.<\/p>\n
Ensure you are staying warm this winter and looking after yourself and your loved ones. For more information on this article, or the other services that we provide<\/a>, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Brain Sparks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"