Hypothermia

As you get older your body will become less able to maintain a constant temperature. You will also be less sensitive to changes in the air temperature around you. As a result, you may find it harder to keep warm and you may even become cold without being aware of actually feeling cold.

Many vulnerable people become ill due to the cold and this means people suffer with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases however these conditions can be substantially reduced if people have improved heating and insulation and are able to seek energy advice on keeping warm. It is important that vulnerable groups also take the opportunity to have a influenza jab to protect against infections during cold weather.

Conditions that increase vulnerability to the cold –

• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis or emphysema
• Coronary heart disease
• Strokes and heart attacks
• Falls and accidents
• Slow recovery from illness
• Worsening of long term-conditions
• Hypothermia (lower internal body temperature)

Those groups who are vulnerable to the cold –

• Older People
• Children (under 5)
• Disabled People
• Those with a long-term medical condition

Body temperature

Your normal body temperature is 98.60° F (370° C). This is what you are measuring when you take your temperature with a thermometer. If this falls below 96° F (35.5° C) you are at risk of hypothermia setting in. Although this may only seem like a drop of a few degrees, hypothermia is very dangerous. In severe cases it can cause an irregular heartbeat, leading to heart failure and death.

Room temperature

If the temperature in the room, or rooms, where you spend most of your time falls below 61° F (16° C), it may result in you developing hypothermia. Unfortunately, because of the way in which a low body temperature can affect you, it is unlikely that the onset of hypothermia is something you will be able to recognise in yourself. It is crucial, therefore, to keep a careful check on the temperature in your home. Try and keep at least one room, which you use frequently, heated to 70° F (21° C). Other cold related diseases are more likely to happen in the first instance so it is important that you wear appropriate layers of clothing.

What to look for in a cold home –

• The home feels cold
• The home feels draughty
• The home smells of damp
• No visible signs of heating
• Only one room is heated
• Signs of mould and damp
• Inadequately heated
• Very high heating bills

What can others do to help - Be a good neighbour

Keep an eye out for your neighbours, especially when the weather is cold and watch out for signs that something may be wrong. Has the milk been left out all day? Are lights in the house burning day and night? Are there newspapers left in the letter box? Are the curtains left drawn during the day? Is the house in darkness when someone should be at home? Have you seen your neighbour in the last few days?

What your neighbour may say to you –

• Complain about feeling cold
• Uses a pre-payment meter to avoid debts
• Stays in bed to keep warm
• Gas or electric supply disconnected