Geriatric Thermoregulation!!!
By Sweetchariot
@Sweetchariot (1718)
United States
November 13, 2009 10:23am CST
Huh? Yup, that's what it's called! When we age we find ourselves colder more often, even in the dead of summer.
My mother is always complaining how cold she is...75% of the year, her temperature in the house is at 80 degrees, and when you walk in her house, a blast of heat hits you in the face. She seems to think that the elderly apt. building that she lives in is not keeping the seniors warm enough. No matter what the family says to her, that it is not the building, she doesn't believe us. However, my mother, at 89, doesn't even want to consider that the changes in her body are due to her age. She continues to think that her body should feel like it always has during her life time. So, I finally did some research on it.
With all the changes in one's metabolism and skeletal muscles - by the age of 70, 30% of muscle mass is lost - the skin also becomes thinner and fat diminshes, causing a lack of insulation against cold, and the ability to radiate heat off the body. The Thermal, chemical, and mechanical receptor density and sensitivity decrease with age. Therefore the elderly have a delayed perception to the cold or hot.
So, this is what we get to look forward to!
3 responses
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
13 Nov 09
Hi sweetchariot, this does not bode well for me as I am famous for always being cold except in the boiling summers we have. I've often wondered if its because I have no fat to keep me warm but I feel it right into my bones. My Greek phoned earlier and said he'd been in the sea today, he's clearly mad, the water must be freezing, and he did mention we wouldn't go tomorrow to swim together as it might kill me. The thought had never even crossed my mind. It's not even supposed to be winter here for another 2 months and I've been frozen all day.
1 person likes this
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
14 Nov 09
You and me both! Sometimes I just feel like hibernating until spring. 
At least now I don't have to get out to go to work whatever the weather. Up until last December, when I was laid off due to the closure of my workplace, I was cycling to work whatever the weather. That was no fun at all in winter I can tell you. 
At least now I don't have to get out to go to work whatever the weather. Up until last December, when I was laid off due to the closure of my workplace, I was cycling to work whatever the weather. That was no fun at all in winter I can tell you. 1 person likes this
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
15 Nov 09
Cycling in the winter...wow...That doesn't sound like much fun at all! Right now I am laid off as well, so I don't have to rush out either...but I would rather be working.
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
14 Nov 09
Don't you hate being cold? Me too...but I remember quite well, that it didn't bother me so much when I was young.
At night, when I sitting around I usually wear long pjamas, a bathrobe, socks, and my fuzzy warm slippers. However, there is nothing to keep my hands and nose warm, and those are always the coldest part of my body.
It's like winter here too, but officially winter doesn't start until mid December. But usually the weather goes down to the 40's during this time of year, and unfortunately it lasts until mid April. This is the part of the year that I detest.
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
13 Nov 09
I've never had much in the way of body fat so I'm in for a bleak time! I can't say that I feel the cold more than I used to, but then, I'm only 63 - just a youngster! 
1 person likes this
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
13 Nov 09
Yes, you are just a youngster! But I do feel the difference already, even though I am only 56. I wear more layers of clothes than what I used to, and attributed it to lack of activity..lol. I don't look forward to being cold on the time...and I better get someone to pay for my heat, because I will be using alot of it.
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
14 Nov 09
WOW! That is darn good! The only way you get help here with your heating bill is if you don't make a certain amount of money annually. Then you actually have to apply for it, and be approved. But, if there is truth to being even colder when I am alot older, then I better start saving now...lol
@MJay101 (710)
•
13 Nov 09
"The skin also becomes thinner and fat diminishes..."
Well, yes. I propose a solution: instead of the winter heating allowance for old folk, how about a free pork pie?
Actually, I feel the cold a lot more since I lost two stone dieting. That, and it's winter in the UK, which is always going to chill the old bones!
I do like the sound of "geriatric thermoregulation", though - do you think the laws of thermodynamics are under threat?
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
14 Nov 09
lol..thermodynamics? Thermoregulation is a mouthfull by itself! I always said I wanted to be a fat grandmother, so my wrinkles don't show when I get that age, but maybe this is another reason why I should gain weight....so I will have enough fat on me to keep me warm in the winters.
