Warm clothes, warm food can deter seniors’ winter chills

I recently bought a new winter coat. While I really like this pristine – read: no cat hair yet – heavy, black jacket, I realized as I modeled it in front of my full-length mirror, I look just a little, well, boxy. No matter; it will keep me warm, which is the goal.

And not to worry, my colorful new fleece hat offsets the coat’s lack of flair.

Though not usually a hat wearer, I purchased this one on the recommendation of a medical professional. Truth be told, I bought two – with the matching scarves.

“Wear a hat. It’s the best way to maintain body heat,” Cheri Volta, paramedic with Capital Ambulance, said with enough emphasis to send me shopping. “Forty percent of body heat is lost through the head and neck. That’s a huge number. Wearing a hat and scarf is very important. Some people think wearing a heavy coat is enough, and it helps, but wear a hat to help maintain body heat.”

This is especially good advice for seniors, she added.

“Older people are susceptible to hypothermia because their systems have started to slow down. They are less active, and it is more difficult to maintain body heat,” said Volta. “This can be compounded by heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, to name a few. And some medications, such as [those] for asthma and high blood pressure, can constrict veins – reducing blood flow, making it harder for the body to stay warm as the temperature drops.”

Also recommended is dressing in layers that can be removed should you become too warm.

“Watch for becoming overheated,” said Volta. “Sweating can whisk heat away from the body and lead to hypothermia.”

After-Christmas sales may be just the time to replace some old turtlenecks with bright, new ones, just in the interest of safety, of course. And then there are cardigans, maybe with cables and interesting buttons. The list of ways to layer is endless and fashionable.

Remember, hypothermia can happen very quickly, before an elderly person even realizes it. A drop in body temperature to 95 degrees is all it takes for symptoms to begin, said Volta.

The first signs of hypothermia are confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech. Caregivers should be aware of these symptoms, which are sometimes mistaken for the natural signs of aging, slight dementia or drug side effects.

It’s also important to drink more water in the winter months. If your body is working to fight dehydration, it will have less energy available to keep itself warm, Volta said.

Frostbite is another cold- weather hazard that can be especially problematic for the elderly. Many of the hypothermia reasons apply.

Spending time outdoors, either shoveling the steps or taking a winter walk, can result in frostbite, so stay covered up as much as possible. Exposed areas of the face are in particular danger, as are wrists, hands and feet.

Signs of frostbite include skin that is whitish, stiff and numb rather than painful. If you detect these symptoms, seek medical treatment quickly.

Warming up from the inside out is a possibility if you like to cook.

“Nourishing soups, stews, and chowders supply nutrients and fluids that can warm our bodies,” said Gail Ward, director of nutrition at Eastern Area on Aging. “Favorite stew or soup recipes can be enhanced by adding extra lean meat and evaporated skim milk or dry milk powder. This will make chowders richer and healthier. Add leftovers to low-sodium canned soups to increase flavor and nourishment. Freezing extra portions ensures a quick warm-me-up meal.”

Hot, hearty stews and new, warm clothes. Winter may not be so hard to take after all.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865 or log on www.eaaa.org.