It’s getting cold! With wind chills forecast at 30 to 45 below zero, we’d like to encourage you to check in on the older folks in your life, neighbors, family, or friends. Older adults can lose body heat faster than when we were young, and this can make it harder to be aware of getting cold. Here’s a link to some cold weather safety tips from the National Institute on Aging, and Bob’s story below.
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cold-weather-safety-older-adults
Bob’s Story
(from NIA’s “Cold Weather Safety for Older Adults“)
Vermont winters can be very cold. Last December, I wanted to save some money so I turned my heat down to 62°F. I didn’t know that would put my health in danger.
Luckily, my son Tyler came by to check on me. He saw that I was only wearing a light shirt and that my house was cold. Ty said I was speaking slowly, shivering, and having trouble walking. He wrapped me in a blanket and called 9-1-1.
Turns out I had hypothermia. My son’s quick thinking saved my life. Now on cold days, I keep my heat at least at 68°F and wear a sweater in the house.