Why Do Elderly People Always Feel Cold?

It’s 22°C in the room, yet your grandmother, bundled up in three layers of sweaters, is still shivering. You, in a t-shirt, wonder how this is possible. Is it just an impression, or do elderly people really feel colder than younger ones? Spoiler: it’s not in their heads, it’s science.

A body that cools down with age

As the years go by, our bodies change. And not always for the better. Metabolism slows down. Muscles shrink. Fat, which used to serve as natural insulation, decreases. The result: body heat becomes rarer and escapes more easily. Add to this less efficient blood circulation, especially in the hands and feet, and you get this constant feeling of being cold.

But it gets worse. The nervous system also ages. It becomes less reactive to temperature changes. A senior may not realize they are cold… until it becomes dangerous. This lack of sensitivity makes thermal regulation even more difficult and increases the risk of hypothermia.

Staying warm without risks: the daily mission

So, how do you keep an elderly person warm without risking overheating? The key is regulation. Several layers of light clothing are better than one big sweater. Wool and cotton are your best allies. As for heating, it should remain stable: 21°C during the day, 18°C at night. No more, no less.

And what about food? Drinking a hot beverage, eating soup, or having a hearty meal helps the body generate a little more heat. A bit of physical effort, like standing up and walking for a few minutes, can also make a difference. Even simple arm and leg movements while sitting stimulate blood circulation.

When cold becomes a danger

Feeling cold is one thing. But when it becomes dangerous, you need to act fast. A body temperature below 35°C is hypothermia. And then, there’s no room for jokes. Uncontrollable shivering, confusion, extreme fatigue… These are warning signs. The problem? An elderly person doesn’t always notice them.

What to do? No hot baths or boiling hot water bottles! Warm up gradually: a blanket, a warm drink, and above all, call a doctor if symptoms persist. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary, as hypothermia can affect the heart and cause serious complications.

Technology for well-being with SecurMEDIC™

Today, solutions exist to monitor seniors remotely. Sensors detect variations in body temperature. An SOS button allows them to alert a loved one in case of discomfort. Because, in the end, the most important thing is that they can stay warm… and safe.

This is where SecurMEDIC™ comes in with its SmartSAFE™ device, designed especially for the elderly. Imagine a grandmother starting to feel cold without realizing it. Her device detects the drop in temperature before she even shivers. The result? A quick intervention before the situation becomes critical. With SecurMEDIC™, we don’t just wait for a problem to arise, we prevent it!