Older adults have an increased risk of cold injury

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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.

Credits

Last updated:	July 05, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer