My mother (87) lives with me. Now that winter has arrived, we are having thermostat wars. I want her to be comfortable and not suffer hypothermia. I prefer to keep the heat around 65- 68, but now that she is here have been boosting it to 70-72 and she still complains of being cold. I am too hot! I have her do layers (Cuddle Duds included) for her top half and have warm sweat pants and warm socks for the bottom half. She is concerned about cuddle dud bottoms as she has incontinence and doesn't want to add layers there. She sits ubnder a blanket when watching tv. I guess I could boost the heat even higher & wear summer clothes as long as I am going to stay inside, but then I'd have to change every time I went out. And I can't imagine too high a heat can be healthy, either. Thinking about one of the portable room space heaters, but so many warnings about safety. Anyone have experience with those? Any other ideas? Thanks.
Three dogs. You must be from Australia. I heard the cold nights there were Three Dog Nights.
My only advice is to remember to try and be in their shoes. Its not a good feeling to feel so cold inside that you can't get warm. I lived on a 1st floor with a cement slab and it made me feel so bone chilling cold I lived in those wraps, thermal pjs and constant cups of tea. I hated it! I felt I could never get warm enough to relax. That must be how they feel.
I get a taste of it all again when my daughter visits and she is always cold and being a lady of a "certain age" I am always running hot lol every generation has this battle.
try not to sweat it--literally and figuratively. And also look into getting into a monthly budget plan with your gas/electric companies. It helps with the bills because you know every month what you'll be paying.
I am all the time having to remind myself that I am as important as my mother. Our self esteems can get pretty low when caregiving. Pretty soon we can begin to feel that keeping our loved one comfortable is all the is important. This thinking can be reinforced by people around us. We really do have to keep the stress off ourselves to make our lives bearable. Whatever we have to do... I'm glad I can close off my vents and open my windows.
How I wish my parents would do the same thing... their home desperately needs the fresh air !!
Your heads-up point is forcefully made. It's just that I think you probably have to see it for yourself before you'll believe it.
I have developed sudden onset hypothyroidism due to a medication and no it can't be stopped. but one of the side effects is being cold all the time so I totally understand. Hubby is cold too, a sign of old age for us both. We installed a wood burning stove in our living room and having that area with radiant heat helps a lot. I was given a heated lap robe for Christmas but as yet have not used it. Also for some one with dementia they can pose a danger not that I have dementia I hasten to add - but never say never!!!!!!!!
I can understand what you mean, but what good is the caregiver if he/she is passed out from a heat stroke? An elder will crank up the heat to 90 if no one is looking. Yes, as one ages they feel the cold more, and medicine can have an effect on the inner thermostat.
It's not like we have the temp set at 65, that's not comfortable for anyone during the day unless one is doing a lot of physical work around the house, which many caregivers are doing. There should be an comfortable level for both.
One thing many of us have learned... we will NOT put our own children through any of this.... we will make plans for our old age.