Portland Observer, February 1, 1984 Page 7
Winter cold brings hypothermia danger for elderly-------------------------
Even though it cods a lot to heal
a
home
this
winter,
elderly
Oregonians should he aware that
they run the risk o f indoor hypo
thermia if they keep their homes loo
cool.
Ted Haskell, Oregon State U n i
versity Extension energy agent in
Coquille, reported that cases o f hy
pothermia have turned up where the
victim was indoors and the tempera
ture above 60 degress Fahrenheit.
The victims were almost always el
derly. He explained that hypother
mia simply means that someone is
so cold that his or her life is
threatened.
Haskell said it's not certain if the
apparent increase in hypothermia is
a result of better diagnosis or the re
sult of people keeping their homes
cooler in response to rising energy
costs.
Vicki Schmall, O SU Extension
gerontology specialist, pointed out
that hypothermia can cause skin
damamge, loss of portions o f fing
ers and toes from frostbite, and
damage to the brain and internal or
gans. Death is the most severe result
when the body temperature drops
below 95 degrees.
Older people are more susceptible
to hypothermia becasuc their body's
“ thermostat" is less efficient. They
don’t shiver as effectively to gener
ate body heat and they also lose the
protective layer of fat under the skin
that helps keep younger people
warm. The elderly may not be as
aware as young people that they are
becoming cold.
The elderly most likely to develop
hypothermia are the chronically ill,
the very old, the poor who are un
able to afford enough heat, and
those who do not take normal steps
to keep warm.
“ People who live alone are at
higher risk ," Schmall said, “ be
cause no one is present to recognize
early symptoms such as shivering,
puffy face, sluggish speech, drowsi
ness, mental confusion, and pale,
waxy skin.”
Certain drugs can impair the
body’s ability to regulate tempera
ture and may also speed up the rate
of heat loss. Persons who are taking
antidepressants, sedatives, tranquil
izers, and cardiovascular medica
tions should ask their doctor whe
ther the medication might affect
control o f body temperature.
Alcohol abusers are at risk for
similar reasons. They may feel
warmer because of the effects o f the
alcohol and therefore, tend to
neglect themselves physically.
People restricted by injuries, es
pecially head injuries, or certain
health conditions, such as strokes,
may not recognize symptoms of
body cooling or may not be physi
cally able to change the conditions.
And
because physical
activity
produces body heat, anyone who is
forced to be sedentary through age
or illness loses a defense against the
ous," she added.
The gerentology specialist says
the best preventions o f hypothermia
are:
•Keep the living space w arm —at
least 67 degres. People who are frail
may need higher termperatures
•W e a r a hat and warm socks—
even in the house.
•M a k e sure bedding is adequately
warm. Hypotherm ia can develop
during sleep.
•A v o id prolonged
Norman 3 . Wooding, one o f the
nation's outstanding and dynamic
gospel singers of Birmingham, A la
bama (formerly of Portland), gave a
most memorable gospel concert at
Paradise Baptist Church on January
22nd.
Wearing a most spectacular robe
of vibrant gold. Wooding opened
the concert with his own unique ren
dition of “ I'm his and he is m ine."
He then went on to sing, “ Great
Day Com ing.” Then he stirred the
“ over-flowing” crowd with his one
and only version of “ Get Away,
Jordan.”
He concluded the concert with a
vibrant version o f "G reat Judgment
D a y ." He has returned to Birming
ham, to resume work with the inter
national singing group. “ The M o
ments o f Inspirations,” with whom
he is affiliated.
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exposure to
cold.
•M a in ta in good nutrition. People
who are malnourished have even
system shouldn't be in that room.
The warm room can be heated
with a small healer, such as an elec
tric portable heater, an electric base
board heater, or a small vented fuel
burning heater. When using a port
able heater, be sure to keep it away
from foot traffic, avoid using exten
sion cords, and keep flammable ma
terial away from the heater, Haskell
cautioned.
He added that a well-weatherized
home will keep elderly occupants
safer from hypothermia. Well-
weatherized homes cost less to heat
so people living in them are better
able to afford warmer temperatures.
Also, most weatherization measures
reduce drafts and warm up the inter
ior surfaces of the house so the oc
cupants stay warmer and more com
fortable.
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cold.
Night-time accidents, when the
house is often colder, can be a prob
lem for older people who frequently
get up several times during the
night.
Older adults, their friends and
family should be alert to conditions
where hypothermia may occur.
Schmall suggest, “ I f you know an
older person who lives alone and is
homebound, make a daily call to the
person. (Jetting cold isn't just
uncomfortable, it may be danger-
Gospet inspiration
fewer physical resources and energy
stores to maintain body heat.
• I f possible, keep physically ac
tive.
The Extension energy agent sug
gested that another way to avoid ex
cessive costs and still maintain a safe
indoor air temperature is to heat
only part o f the house. By concen
trating sedentary activities such as
reading, sewing or watching T V in
one room, it is possible to heat just
that room. For bes' results, the
room that is heated should be shut
o ff from the rest o f the house. The
thermostat for the cential heating
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