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.
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.
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!!!!!!!!
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.
How I wish my parents would do the same thing... their home desperately needs the fresh air !!
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.
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.
Three dogs. You must be from Australia. I heard the cold nights there were Three Dog Nights.
Silk underwear is a great addition to her wardrobe. Silk is very insulating so it's quite warm and light weight at the same time.
I also wrapped her in warm shawls and bed jackets. You can google to find some really pretty ones so she won't feel institutionalized in these duds.
Finally, I used an electric 12V lap blanket when I took her to dr appts. I plugged it right into the cigarette lighter for 10 minutes prior to loading Mom in and off we went. She was toasty warm and I still had my window cracked.
However the heat issue, as several others have pointed out, is not simply a matter of inconvenience or being "somewhat uncomfortable." It makes us physically ill. Not much help to Mom if I feel like I'm going to faint or throw up. What if I did pass out while trying to assist her? Not likely, but at 70 years of age I have to be realistic about that possibility. I don't have to be cool and comfortable, just not so overheated that I am sick from it.
I use a sunbeam heated pad on the back of his chair, or you could get a heated chair. I just saw that sunbeam or sure fit has a heated slip cover.
For me: I have been spared by a tall Dyson fan. Very little noise, feels like the air is cooled even though it isn't. I set it up pointed at my chair. It can also oscillate, but the stationary position is perfect, Dad does not feel it and I do.
Not asked but also useful. Dad is quiet deaf. I almost went nuts with the volume all the way up. We got Sony wireless headphones for him. It was a saving grace.
I couldn't ask my parents to drop the heat by 8 degrees to be in the middle of the thermostat, she would sit there and shiver, I couldn't do that to her. It's not her fault that she is so cold... her hands are like ice. We just don't visit for more than 15 minutes :( And when my parents come to visit me, I do push the heat up to 72 so that Mom would be more comfortable, but as soon as my parents leave, it's back down to 68.
My house is quite sunny so I do get a lot of solar heat and all the drapes are opened..... my parents house get very little sun inside which I think makes a big difference.... if they would only open up the shades/blinds but Mom doesn't want to fade the furniture.... [sigh].
I guess my point is we can never please everyone in our situations....I like your suggestions for the chilly folks... better hydration, get up and stroll, an old fashioned red rubber hot water bag, more cups of hot tea, fuzzy slipper sox, fleece and flannel clothes....and talking about how to compromise with Mom/Dad....
I'm one of those who actually feels ill, nauseous, when overheated, so "sucking it up" and living with the hothouse effect isn't an option. When I'm with my mom I have to sleep with the heating vent and door closed (open just a crack so I can hear her if she needs me). During the day I do a lot of yard work, LOL.