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He wears several layers of clothes all the time & still cold. After the surgery that entire leg, foot, & hip were black & blue plus greatly swollen. He was also extemely disoriented (did not know where he was or his wife for days, if not weeks)! Also he never regained his full memory. Mom & dad said the doctor says doesn't know why.
His skin does not feel colder to touch than mine.

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Great tips, thanks!
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Something I've found to be much warmer than I expected are the cheap blankets alleged charities often send as inducements for donations. At first I thought they were just thin junk, and began using them just as throws for a bit of extra warmth when watching tv. Then I realized how very warm they are.

Put them close to your father's skin, then put other blankets over them. They're soft and provide a warmth far more than blankets that are much thicker. And they warm up very quickly when put directly on a person; then a thicker blanket holds in the warmth.

I can't really identify the material - they're not fleece, they might be closer to felted material, but they are soft and comfy.

I plan to buy some of that material and make special emergency linings for mittens, socks, hats, sweat shirts and pants linings - to carry in the car in the event of a breakdown in colder weather.
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As we age everything slows down and that includes the circulation. Naturally a healthy diet, suitable exercise and whatever clothing makes the loved one comfortable. My personal preference is for natural fibers but that is personal and many people swear by the synthetics these days. The important thing is to keep the clothing light and dress in layers. Frail elders don't need lots of heavy things in order to be comfortable. Feet can be kept warm with wool socks and sheepskin slippers. Hats also help keep the heat in even at night and fingerless gloves. Be very careful using heating pads blankets and free standing heating sources.

As noted above low thyroid levels will contribute to feeling cold.

As far as anesthesia is concerned, it can be very tricky for the elderly and the after effects can be substantial. Not really anything you can do to prevent that if the surgery is needed. As always weigh the risks and benefits. Don't make urgent decisions to save an elders life when allowing nature to take it's course may be the kinder way to go. Quality rather than quantity of life is the most important consideration.
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Thanks! Ill check on Thyroid. Only meds he takes is aspirin, plus meds for Alzheimers & prostate.
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Anesthesia in elders is very tricky. It can re-set the brain in ways you can't even imagine.
I would have dad's thyroid checked, but he could also have just developed this w/o any "intervention" such as the surgery. My hubby is freezing all the time and he weighs almost 300 lbs. Fat isn't the issue--thyroid either. He had a liver transplant 10 years ago, and has been cold ever since.

My mother wears a sweater year round and we live in Utah where summers the temps hang at 90 for many days. Her hands are ALWAYS ice cold. Probably the poor circulation and the fact she doesn't move much.
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I agree with Fredflyer thyroid is the thermostat for the body. As we age, the endocrine system goes off balance and can also cause confusion.
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Does your dad have a heart condition that requires a blood thinner such as Coumadin, Plavix? Most total knee patients are on a blood thinner to reduce the risk of blood clots after surgery. If your dad has atrial fib, when your heart is not in normal sinus rhythm, he may be taking a blood thinner and often that contributes to their feeling cold.
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Thanks. I dont think his leg bothers him any more d/r he never complains about his leg hurting. Ill compare temp leg temps next tume Im there.

Hes currently much thinner than normal however, at the time he weighed same or more than usual. Hes always been at a good weight until past year.
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Something else occurred to me - as elders age and often get thinner, they have less fat, i.e., less insulation, to keep them warm. I noticed that as well with my sister - at one time we both were warm and weren't comfortable in extra warm houses, but as she became more and more ill with cancer, she was unable to maintain that warmth and required extra blankets even when it wasn't that cold.
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Does he still have discomfort from that leg? Is he less mobile b/c of the surgery? If so, he's probably not moving around as much, not generating as much heat, and will get cold much more easily. It's amazing how much less heat older people generate than when they were younger.

There also could be some vascular problems that resulted either from the injuries or after the surgery. Have you touched both legs to see if there's an obvious temperature difference?
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He did not have signs of dementia at the time of the surgery. He had the other knee repaired a couple years before & had no problems at all. He wears the high tech insulated underwear as much as possible but still wears jackets, or robe, over his clothes plus a blanket when sitting. They even keep a blanket on the church pew where he sits at all times! He has small heater or heating pad going most the time, depending on where he sits.
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My mom is always cold, and she is just frail! She wears long underware all year long. Some of my just be old age.
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Didn't the surgeon or your Dad's primary doctor mention that if someone has Alzheimer's/Dementia [as per your profile about your Dad] that surgery would worsen the disease? I can't believe the doctor said he/she didn't know why.

For some elders, if they have a thyroid condition it will make them feel like they are freezing. Even with thyroid pills, the elders will still complain about the cold. To help Dad feel warmer, make sure his shirt is tucked into his slacks, that can make a big difference.
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