Follow
Share

Do we add another blanket if she asks even though it is warm and we can sees signs that she is perspiring? One time in the summer the EMTs came cause of this which caused her BP to rise. They immediatley insisted she let the aide put on the wall ac and they removed some blankets, etc. Her BP came down and the sweating stopped. They warned her this can cause a stroke so she stopped for awhile but is doing this again. it is causing a lot of stress for her live in aide who is afraid she will overheat. We see her doctor in a couple of weeks and discuss it more. Are there any blankets that would give her comfort but let her breathe in the summer ? Any other ideas?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing
Anemia can cause coldness. My MIL was visiting NYC in the summer. It was about 90° and raining and she complained about being cold.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Make sure she gets good fats, dairy fat, red meat, bacon, fatty fish, that helps our bodies warm themselves.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

caregivingstuff: Is your mother taking the blood thinner medication, Coumadin? If so, that may be why she is cold. My late mother was always a "hot-blooded person," but at the end of her life when I moved in with her from out of state, I saw my mother wearing a jacket. That was a very atypical for her, but she was on Coumadin shortly before her death when her cardiologist took her off it because her fall risk was greater than the benefit of the med.

Also, an elder may not be moving around a lot, thus making them cold.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

My mom has low thyroid and takes medication for it, but is still susceptible to feeling cold when others are very comfortable. Mostly, she doesn't like any air movement from a fan or breeze. Since she entered her 80s, she does like a room a feel degrees warmer than the rest of us. In summer I close the vent in her room so there's no direct air movement, allowing the room to be 5-6 degrees warmer than the hall and rooms on each side. I use light weight (cotton whenever possible) blankets and throws with a "holey" pattern to add some weight and warmth without too much warmth. A cotton blanket on the bed provides gives a cover with some weight and the material and holes in the pattern still allow a lot of heat to escape so my Mom doesn't overheat. Thinner cotton quilts work well too. A long sleeve cotton shirt to add over summer short shelves is comforting. I made a granny knot throw out of cotton yarn that she likes to use when sitting watching TV or reading.

Mom's hands often feel cooler but that doesn't bother her. I feel her forearm and upper body (slipping my hand under the neckline of her blouse) to check her "core" temperature. The forearm usually feels slightly cooler than my hand, but her upper body/shoulder area will be the same temperature as my palm.

One reason someone continues to feel cold even in a warm room and under adequate clothing/cover is dehydration. Maybe if your Mom continues to feel cold, you could try offering some hot/warm tea? or maybe she like coffee better?
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I was on the same wavelength as Tluther. Thyroid can cause a person to be cold. So can neuropathy in the legs and feet. Mom wore socks all year long. For sitting around the house I got her the fuzzy ones with long tops. Her ankles got cold so I rolled the tops down. I know when my feet and arms are cold my whole body is.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

You can also target key spots on her body for added warmth. Warmer socks and a lightweight circular scarf (they come in pretty colors and help accessorize) can cut down on drafts on her neck and cold feet. I also kept a small knit blanket sized for a baby stroller handy for placing on lap or around shoulders. This trio worked better allowing me to make subtle adjustments so mom didn't overheat or feel too cold. Also, be aware of air conditioning vents to make sure that nothing is blowing cold on her.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Alot of the folks at the nursing home where winter jogging outfits all year . ( least the pants) . My mom talks about a camisole . She says it helps keep the cold out . Or light weight long underwear kinda layer . But you should monitor. fingerless gloves?
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Lots and lots of good suggestions here...

Remember that immobile people who aren't getting any exercise are going to feel colder. And it's possible she has a circulation problem. Is she cold all over, or more so in her extremities?

Can you persuade her to do arm, ankle and foot exercises to get blood moving down into the extremities? My father used a small exercise bike that essentially is only the pedal portion of a bike. Its not a stationary bike, just the pedaling part. It can be used on the floor for feet, or on a table for arms.

Google hand and foot exercise portable bikes to see what they look like. They're about $15 in the nuisance catalogues, but you could probably get a better one at a DME supplier with a script from one of her doctors.

I would have suggested a fleece lined jacket and the fleece throws, but if EMS was concerned, I'm thinking that some monitoring would be required so that she doesn't overheat.

One option is to try, and I emphasize try, the space blankets. They look like aluminum foil but are supposed to provide enough heat to prevent freezing in the winter. I guess they were used on space flights, hence the name.

They're ugly as heck - imagine getting out a box of aluminum foil to keep you warm.

Another option is warm fluids, such as herbal tea (but research the various types of teas first and check with her doctor(s) to make sure there are no contraindications for use with any of her meds.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Has your mom been checked for thyroid imbalance? I know that likely it is her age, but a lot of my mom's coldness comes from her thyroid being low. She explains it like she feels cold "inside" and no amount of blankets will get her warm. I usually get her a hot drink and make her an appointment for a thyroid check.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Cuddleduds worked for my grandmother.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

When I am cold and the others are too hot we do this.

Wear lots of thin layers. eg vest + t.shirt + blouse + cardigan or jumper. They work better than the heavy thick stuff, for me.

If I am in the chair
1 Make sure my blouse is tucked in at the back, then put a rolled cushion in the small of my back, against the back of the chair/seat.
2 Put a pillow each side, where the arms of the chair are, slightly tucked towards my body.
3 I have a large, soft, light. wool square x 2
1st one goes round my shoulders, 2nd one wraps round my legs.
I use a wrapped, hot water bottle to put my feet on. I am wearing socks.
My slippers get put into the airing cupboard (on the hot water tank.) So they are lovely and toasty for when the hot water bottle has cooled.

A nice warm drink (I love oxo in a cup) but any hot drink (as long as she is safe holding it.

Good luck - it is not fun being cold - hope she warms up soon :)
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

My dad runs cold and he loves True North fleece sheets. I've gotten them from Bed Bath & Beyond.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

freqflyer's idea is good: Have you tried any of the new, super-light weight, soft as silk long john's tops and bottoms? In the winter, I had my mom wear just the bottoms under her flannel type long sleeve nightdress while lounging and watching TV. Lately, she has been more agreeable to get fully dressed and I have been able to suit her up in medium weight sweatshirt tops, denim slacks, socks and shoes (instead of slippers). Adjusting the air flow away from her back seems to keep her mind off fiddling with the air conditioner.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Make sure Mom's shirt is tucked into her slacks as this can make a big difference. My Mom use to wear light weight thermo shirts all year round.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

One of the younger residents at my mom's nursing home has often told me "the old ones are always cold", and it's true. I usually find that taking mom out into the sun for 15 minutes (as long as it isn't unbearably hot) can really warm up her hands and legs, a good massage with some lotion also helps get the blood flowing. Wrapping her legs or providing a shawl across her shoulders might be better than using a big blanket because it targets the chilly areas while allowing her trunk to be cooler, using a hot water bottle or one of those microwavable bags are also more focused on the cold spots. I'm a cold blooded person too and I find for myself that once the "freezing" parts get some relief the rest of me doesn't feel as cold either.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

How many blankets are you putting on your Mom? What type of blankets are you putting on your Mom? Use the incident with the EMTs to explain to your Mom why you can only put a limited number of blankets on her.

Sometimes the person needs to feel the "weight" of the blankets when they are asking for extra blankets. Also, the type of blanket(s) used make a difference. I would suggest that you put a FLEECE blanket on your Mom instead of a loosely woven blanket that allows air to flow through and may not feel as warm as a fleece blanket. Maybe have her wear a fleece sweatshirt or jacket with a hood. Maybe buy a Queen size SLEEPING BAG for her chair. That way your Mom can snuggle inside the sleeping bag or buy one of those "Snuggles"?? that are blankets that snap around your arms and legs. (I think Walmart and Walgreens have them.) You will need to experiment to see what works.

Use flannel sheets on her bed. (Yeah, I know--FLANNEL sheets in the summer?!? I use flannel sheets on my bed all year round because of my fibromyalgia. If I use regular sheets, my legs get cold and I experience "restless legs syndrome" and can't sleep.)

Maybe if you turn the AC vent so that it does not blow directly on your Mom but blows upward or to the side of her. As long as there is some air flowing in the room.

I am glad that you are going to see your Mom's doctor and plan to discuss this problem.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

My mother is ALWAYS cold. but if she goes outside in this heat it is too much. She keeps a sweater with her. And we know she is cold, her nose is like ice. It has to do with their circulation as they age. Maybe a lightweight throw instead of a heavy blanket?
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter