
Are Older People Really Colder in the Winter Than Other Folks?
We got a bit of relief from the extreme cold yesterday and for the next few days, we will be playing a game of “beck-a-boo" with colder temperatures.

We’ve all had to add more layers and cover exposed skin lately to keep ourselves warm and safe. That is except for the kid I saw pumping gas on Tuesday in minus 26-degree weather in a pair of shorts, but that’s a topic for another day.
On the radio stations I work on, I’ve been encouraging people to check on their neighbors during the bitter cold weather, to make sure they were warm and had food and water.
Weather like what we had earlier in the week can be deadly. Especially for older folks, most of us have heard someone say they are always cold since they reached a certain age.
So why is that?
AARP says there are several reasons. First, as we get older, it’s not uncommon for us to lose muscle tone. Muscles in our bodies provide insulation and help generate heat.
Older people also have thinner skin, which allows body heat to escape much easier. These two things combined make it much easier for them to be colder.
Plus, when you add in the fact that certain medical conditions can affect blood flow in the body which also contributes to older folks feeling colder than they used to be and can allow hypothermia to set in quicker.
What To Look Out For
We all know that shivering is an obvious sign that someone is in trouble due to the cold, but there are other signs we should look out for as well.
Exhaustion
Confusion
Fumbling Hands
Exhaustion or being very tired
Slurred speech
Drowsiness
It’s important to keep these things in mind for the folks in your life who are older. Just because you don’t feel cold, doesn’t mean they don’t. Let’s keep an eye on each other until spring gets here. I’m sure we’ve got more cold weather still in store for us.
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