An older adult wrapped tightly in a blanket, sitting on their couch and shivering due to feeling cold.

Why Do Seniors Feel So Cold?

Aging sometimes poses unique new changes. Even in the summer, many older adults often deal with problems like cold sensitivity. Without the right support, this can quickly become frustrating. So, why do seniors feel so cold—and how can you help your loved one feel more comfortable in their everyday life?

Older adults often notice increased cold sensitivity due to a decrease in the body’s ability to regulate internal temperature. Meanwhile, changes in circulation, metabolism, lifestyle, and other such factors can make the cold more noticeable.

Why Are Older People Always Cold?

The sensation of constant cold becomes increasingly frequent over time. This is entirely natural—the body simply changes with age. Aging is the primary factor behind this sensitivity, but it’s not the only one.

Slower Metabolism

One key change with aging is a slower metabolism. Metabolism generates body heat, and when it slows down, seniors may not produce enough heat to stay warm. This is a natural part of getting older, but it often makes older adults susceptible to even minor chills.

Thinner Fat Layers Under the Skin

The insulating fat layers that help maintain warmth thin over the years. Thinner skin also provides less protection against the cold, making seniors more prone to feeling chilly, even in moderate weather.

Poor Blood Circulation

Proper circulation helps blood reach all parts of the body to keep them warm and healthy. But in older adults, this system may not function as efficiently as it once did. Common circulatory issues like diabetes or heart disease can amplify cold sensitivity, especially in the hands and feet.

Hormonal Changes

The thyroid, a gland that helps regulate body temperature, can become underactive in seniors, leading to hypothyroidism. With this condition, the body struggles to generate and distribute warmth effectively, leaving seniors perpetually cold.

Medications

Certain medications taken by older adults can also increase cold sensitivity. Some common medications known to affect temperature sensitivity include:

  • Beta-blockers 
  • Sedatives
  • Antidepressants
  • Cancer treatments

If you suspect your loved one’s medication is linked to their frequent chills, visit a healthcare professional to discuss your alternatives.

Chronic Health Conditions

Underlying health conditions can significantly contribute to cold sensitivity. These conditions include:

  • Anemia, which reduces oxygen delivery to tissues and causes cold extremities. 
  • Diabetes, which affects circulation and can leave feet and hands feeling icy. 
  • Kidney disease, which disrupts the body’s ability to regulate warmth. 

Addressing these conditions can help reduce constant chills in seniors.

Decreased Muscle Mass

Seniors gradually lose muscle mass due to the effects of aging or inactivity. This is an age-related condition called sarcopenia. With less muscle to generate body heat, their natural warmth decreases over time, leaving a person more vulnerable to the cold.

Is It Normal for Seniors to Feel Cold All the Time?

It’s natural for older adults to feel colder than they did when they were younger. Slower metabolism, reduced muscle mass, and circulation issues are all common. However, extreme or persistent cold sensitivity may signal an underlying issue.

Some signs indicate a serious underlying problem, such as:

  • Persistent fatigue or weakness 
  • Unexplained weight loss 
  • Numbness or tingling in the extremities 
  • Pale or bluish skin 
  • Difficulty breathing or chest discomfort 

If you’re worried about an older loved one, book an appointment with a healthcare professional. They can provide an examination and diagnose the underlying cause.

An older adult in a blanket blowing their nose and clasping a cup of tea to stop feeling so cold.

Tips for Keeping an Older Loved One Warm

Keeping your loved one comfortable and warm is simpler with a few small adjustments. It’s about creating an environment and habits that help them stay cozy, while addressing the challenges they face every day.

Maintain a Warm Environment

Adjusting the thermostat to a slightly higher range is often necessary for seniors. Keep living spaces draft-free, and if needed, add insulation to doors and windows to prevent inside heat from escaping.

Provide Layered Clothing

Layered outfits are perfect for seniors, as they allow easy temperature adjustments throughout the day. Prioritize thermal fabrics, warm socks, and easy-to-wear items to make their everyday life more comfortable.

Encourage Warm Meals & Drinks

Hot, hearty meals and drinks help the body maintain its warmth. Items like soups, stews, and herbal teas help the metabolism generate heat while offering nourishment.

Support Physical Activity

Movement can improve blood flow and naturally warm the body. Encourage light exercises like short walks or gentle stretches to keep muscles active and improve circulation. This helps boost their natural circulation and overall well-being.

Use Additional Warmth Accessories

Introduce simple items like heated blankets, thermal gloves, or electric mattress pads. These accessories can make a big difference in maintaining warmth throughout the day and night.

How Senior Living Can Help

Choosing the right care environment is one of the most important steps for helping a loved one stay comfortable. A community tailored to their needs means they receive consistent support. And here in our community at NorBella Prior Lake, we’re ready to help your loved one every day.

We love supporting our valued community members, no matter what challenges they face in their everyday lives. Our team is dedicated to providing care and services that promote independence, dignity, and choice. To learn more about how we can help, schedule a visit today!

A faded and blurry picture of a senior against a white background symbolizes the depersonalization of hallucinations.

What Causes Hallucinations in Seniors?

Hallucinations can be alarming for the person experiencing them and their loved ones. If your senior family member is seeing, hearing, or sensing things that aren’t there, you may naturally feel concerned, confused, or unsure how to help.  

While hallucinations can indicate a serious underlying cause, such as memory loss or dementia, there are many reasons your loved one may be experiencing hallucinations, such as medication, sleep deprivation, or sensory loss. 

With the proper knowledge, resources, and support, you can better understand what may be happening and take meaningful steps to provide care and comfort.  

What Is a Hallucination?  

A hallucination is a perceptual experience where a person perceives something that isn’t real. These experiences may involve one or more of the five senses, causing the person to see, hear, feel, taste, or smell things that others do not.  

Unlike a simple misunderstanding or trick of the senses, hallucinations often feel vivid and real to the person experiencing them, which can make them distressing. They aren’t necessarily a standalone medical condition but are usually a symptom of another underlying issue.  

Hallucinations can differ widely based on the person and the cause, so understanding their types is an essential first step.  

Types of Hallucinations  

Seniors may experience various forms of hallucinations, including the following common categories:  

  • Visual Hallucinations: These involve seeing things that aren’t there, such as shadows, people, animals, or objects. They are often associated with conditions like dementia or certain medications.  
  • Auditory Hallucinations: The person may hear sounds or voices others don’t hear. These could range from faint background noises to distinct conversations.  
  • Tactile Hallucinations: Tactile hallucinations give the sensation of touch. For example, seniors may feel like bugs are crawling on their skin or that someone is touching them when no one is present.  
  • Olfactory Hallucinations: These involve the sense of smell. A senior might detect an unpleasant odor, such as smoke or decay, even when no source exists.  
  • Gustatory Hallucinations: Although less common, gustatory hallucinations involve taste. Seniors might report experiencing a strange or unpleasant taste in their mouth without a reason.  

What Causes Hallucinations in Seniors?

To address hallucinations effectively, it’s crucial to understand what might be causing them. Common causes, especially among seniors, include the following factors.  

Dementia  

Dementia-related conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, are some of the leading causes of hallucinations in older adults. Cognitive decline can change how the brain interprets sensory information, leading to these perceptual experiences.  

For example, seniors with Lewy body dementia may frequently encounter vivid visual hallucinations, such as seeing people or animals.  

Medication  

Certain medications or combinations of medications can cause side effects that include hallucinations. Drugs that affect brain chemistry, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, or even over-the-counter sleep aids, can sometimes disrupt a senior’s sensory perception.  

Side effects may be more likely in seniors due to how medications are metabolized differently as we age.  

Sleep Deprivation  

Chronic sleep deprivation or poor-quality sleep can impact brain function and prompt hallucinations. Sleep disturbances like insomnia or sleep apnea, which commonly affect seniors, might exacerbate these effects.  

Sensory Loss  

Hearing loss, poor vision, or other sensory changes can lead to brain misinterpretations. Visual hallucinations, known as Charles Bonnet syndrome, can occur in seniors with significant vision loss due to macular degeneration or glaucoma.  

Other Contributing Factors  

Other factors may also play a role, including:

  • Dehydration or Nutritional Deficiencies: Dehydration, low blood sugar, or deficient vital nutrients like vitamin B12 can impact brain function.
  • Infections: Conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs) are known to cause confusion, delirium, and hallucinations in seniors, especially when combined with other health concerns.
  • Mental Health Conditions: Depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also manifest with symptoms of hallucinations.  

Supporting a Loved One Experiencing Hallucinations  

A senior veteran gets support from a therapist to deal with hallucinations resulting from PTSD

If your loved one is experiencing hallucinations, you might feel unsure how to respond. Here are practical and compassionate steps you can take:

  1. Stay Calm. Even if the hallucination feels alarming, maintain a calm and reassuring demeanor. Avoid dismissing their experience outright, as this can create distress or mistrust.
  2. Validate Their Feelings. Instead of arguing about whether something is real, acknowledge how the hallucination makes them feel. For example, you might say, “That sounds frightening. I’m here to help you.”
  3. Assess for Safety. Pay attention to whether the hallucination could lead to harm, such as trying to interact with nonexistent objects.
  4. Document and Share. Keep a record of what the hallucinations involve and when they occur. This information will be important when consulting a healthcare professional.
  5. Consult a Doctor. Hallucinations are always worth discussing with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause. If the hallucinations are sudden or severe, seek immediate medical advice.  

How Senior Living Communities Support Senior Health & Wellness  

Many older adults benefit significantly from moving into a senior living community, especially those dealing with challenges like hallucinations.  

Here’s how these communities can help promote wellness and address common underlying causes:

  • Comprehensive Medical Oversight: Many senior living communities provide access to on-site healthcare services, ensuring medication management, preventive care, and quick intervention for symptoms like hallucinations.  
  • Healthy Routine Promotion: Stable routines that include balanced meals, hydration, rest, and meaningful activities offer seniors the support they need for mental and physical health.  
  • Mental Wellbeing and Engagement: Engaging activities and opportunities for social interaction help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can contribute to declining mental health. Communities often focus on creating inclusive, vibrant spaces to foster connection.  
  • Specialized Dementia Care: Memory care communities are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for seniors with dementia. Staff trained in dementia care can manage symptoms, including hallucinations, with expertise and compassion.  

Empowering You to Take the Next Step  

Hallucinations in seniors can be challenging, but with the right mix of understanding and support, you can help your loved one live more comfortably and confidently.  

At NorBella Centerville, we believe in supporting health, purpose, and belonging. Our communities are designed to empower seniors to live with dignity and joy, whether engaging in favorite activities, enjoying carefully curated meals, or benefiting from specialized care services.  

Contact us today to learn more about how we support senior health and wellness.