Don’t look now but the end of August is quickly approaching! The final days of summer are just ahead and a new school year is just around the corner. Of course, for Canadians, this time of year means buckling up for cooler temperatures. While many may enjoy the forthcoming fall season, there are many others who won’t be so happy to see the heat disappear. Among them are seniors who are generally more susceptible to getting sick when it gets cold outside.
What are the most common ailments that impact seniors when the weather cools off?
Respiratory infections.
Sure, the summertime brings about greater instances of allergic reactions. This is especially true in areas where there is a lot of pollen, ragweed and dust. However, when temperatures drop, it exacerbates such respiratory infections as the common cold, bronchitis and pneumonia. Low temperatures are known to irritate the respiratory tract, making it easier for viruses and bacteria to take hold.
Not to mention, when it’s cold out, we all tend to turn the heat up inside. What this does is create dry indoor conditions that dry out our mucous membranes meant to protect our respiratory systems.
“Lung spasms can occur in seniors with respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD,” informs Comfort Keepers, “Seniors are particularly sensitive to cold air, which can trigger these spasms. Suggest using face or ‘ski’ masks from an outdoor or sporting goods store to use their own breath to warm the air before it enters the lungs.”
Joint pain and arthritis flare-ups.
Many seniors are no strangers to experiencing joint pain and arthritis symptoms. Unfortunately, a decrease in temperature can only worsen these conditions. Colder weather contributes to a drop in the body’s circulation. This causes stiffness and discomfort in the joints. As well, barometric pressure changes can lead to swelling and inflammation. This only makes arthritis pain more intense.
“There’s no doubt that when the temperatures drop, my joints become quite a bit creakier,” reveals Eileen Davidson of CreakyJoints, “When it gets bone-chilling cold outside I can literally feel that bone chill deep inside my joints. This is heightened in the joints where I have both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (OA). Rheumatoid arthritis is due to my overactive immune system attacking my joints, causing inflammation and swelling…This can feel like a dull ache from being too sedentary or it can be a sharp pain as my muscles contract when the cold air bites.”
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
We are all susceptible to the winter blues. But did you know that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a legitimate form of depression? It generally occurs during the fall and winter seasons when the daylight hours are shorter. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to SAD. Firstly, older adults often contend with feelings of loneliness and depression, no matter the time of year. Add fewer hours of sunlight to each day and their internal clocks become disrupted. It also reduces the production of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that influences mood.
Add cold weather, which inhibits us all from going outside, and you have a recipe for depression. Quite obviously, SAD most significantly impacts seniors who live alone or have limited social interactions.
“Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to keep the blues and SAD symptoms at bay,” informs All Seniors Care, “A natural mood enhancer, even short periods of exercise can work wonders. It supports overall cognitive function and increases the number of feel-good neurotransmitters released by the brain.”
Skin dryness.
The cold can dry out our skin. However, for seniors, skin dryness and irritation can be particularly troublesome during the colder months of the year. Keep in mind that, as we age, our skin gets thinner. That makes it more difficult to retain moisture, thus making it more susceptible to cracking, itching and infections. As we previously noted, Canadians often combat the cold weather by turning up the heat indoors. This just further dries out the skin.
For seniors, colder temperatures can exacerbate such conditions as eczema and psoriasis. “Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes dry and itchy skin and may be triggered by soaps and detergents, environmental or food allergens, hormonal changes and skin infections,” explain Sonal Choudhary and Jeffrey Chen for The Conversation, “During the winter months, skin can become drier and, in some instances, cracked, fissured and inflamed. Severe dryness may lead to itchiness and scratching.”
Falls and fractures.
The risk of falling for older adults is high all year round. However, it goes without saying that the slippery surfaces brought on by frigid temperatures only heighten the risk of taking a tumble. “Across Canada, falls are the leading cause of hospitalization and injury-related deaths among people aged 65 and over,” reports CBC, “In Montreal, falls have increased by 47 per cent among those aged 65 and over from 2009 to 2020…Between 2020 and 2021, 6,575 Montrealers were hospitalized due to a fall, and 5,399 of them were 65 or over.”
There are many factors that play a role in the increased risk of falls during the colder months of the year. Reduced daylight leads to poorer visibility. This increases the likelihood of tripping over an obstacle. Cold temperatures cause muscles to stiffen. This reduces flexibility and hampers balance. Naturally, seniors need to take great precautions against falling when the weather cools off. This includes wearing shoes with good traction, using handrails and walking aids when necessary, and keeping pathways clear of ice and snow.
How can you prevent falls from occurring in the home?
By installing a stair lift, you can ensure that going up and down the stairs is an extremely safe activity for everyone in your household. This is especially important for seniors with mobility issues during the colder months of the year. At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we always ensure that you have the complete picture of our stair lifts. No matter what your stair lift requirements are, you can choose the stair lift that is best for you!
Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
