Menjaga orang lanjut usia tetap aman dalam cuaca dingin: hipotermia dalam ruangan, memeriksa tetangga, dan bantuan pemanas¶

Cuaca dingin jauh lebih berbahaya bagi orang lanjut usia daripada yang disadari kebanyakan orang, dan sebagian besar bahayanya terjadi di dalam ruangan. Orang lanjut usia dapat mengalami hipotermia di ruang tamu yang hanya terasa dingin, karena penuaan mengubah cara tubuh merasakan dingin, menghasilkan panas, dan mempertahankannya. Musim dingin juga menyebabkan jatuhnya es, ketegangan jantung, flu, karbon monoksida akibat pemanasan yang buruk, dan risiko sendirian ketika terjadi masalah.

Panduan ini ditujukan untuk orang lanjut usia, keluarga mereka, dan tetangga mereka. Hal ini menjelaskan mengapa pilek lebih berisiko seiring bertambahnya usia, cara menjaga suhu rumah tetap aman, cara mengenali hipotermia di dalam ruangan, cara memeriksa tetangga dengan aman dan ramah, dan cara mendapatkan bantuan terkait biaya pemanas di Amerika Serikat, Kanada, Inggris, dan negara-negara lain. Ini juga mencakup obat-obatan, makanan, jatuh, karbon monoksida dan pemadaman listrik. Melihat perencanaan darurat orang dewasa yang lebih tua untuk perencanaan umum.

Lakukan ini sekarang¶

1. Periksa suhu di ruangan tempat lansia menghabiskan hari dan di kamar tidur. Usahakan suhu di ruang keluarga minimal 18 derajat Celcius (64 derajat Fahrenheit), dan hangatkan jika orang tersebut merasa kedinginan, lemah, atau tidak sehat. Pindahkan mereka ke ruangan atau tempat yang lebih hangat jika mereka merasa tidak nyaman.
2. Perhatikan tanda-tanda peringatannya: kulit dingin, menggigil atau tidak menggigil sama sekali, mengantuk, bicara tidak jelas, kebingungan, gerakan lambat, atau wajah pucat dan sembab. Jika Anda melihatnya, hubungi nomor darurat setempat (911 di Amerika Serikat dan Kanada, 112 di seluruh Uni Eropa, 999 di Inggris). Melihat nomor darurat.
3. Tambahkan pakaian berlapis, topi, kaus kaki hangat, dan selimut, serta bantu orang tersebut untuk makan dan minum sesuatu yang hangat. Lepaskan pakaian lembab dan jauhkan dari angin.
4. Periksa apakah alarm karbon monoksida dan alarm asap berfungsi, dan tidak ada pemanggang, kompor, generator, atau oven gas yang digunakan untuk pemanas.
5. Periksa tetangga yang lebih tua atau sendirian, melalui telepon atau di depan pintu, dan setujui check-in harian selama musim dingin. Tinggalkan nomor yang dapat mereka hubungi.
6. Jika listrik atau pemanas mati, pindahkan orang tersebut ke rumah kerabatnya yang bersuhu hangat, ke pusat penghangat atau tempat berlindung lebih awal, daripada menunggu hingga suhu di dalam rumah menjadi sangat dingin.

Mengapa orang lanjut usia lebih berisiko¶

Beberapa perubahan seiring bertambahnya usia membuat pilek semakin sulit ditangani. Tak satu pun dari mereka yang merupakan kesalahan atau kegagalan. Hal ini normal, dan beberapa langkah sederhana dapat melindunginya.

• Rasa dinginnya lebih lemah. Orang lanjut usia sering kali tidak merasakan kedinginan sampai suhu tubuhnya turun. Mereka mungkin berkata bahwa mereka baik-baik saja padahal sebenarnya tidak.
• Panas tubuh berkurang. Massa otot dan metabolisme menurun seiring bertambahnya usia, sehingga tubuh menghasilkan lebih sedikit panas. Kulit yang lebih tipis dan lebih sedikit lemak tubuh memberikan lebih sedikit isolasi.
• Menggigil lebih lambat. Menggigil adalah cara utama tubuh menghasilkan panas dalam jangka pendek, dan pada orang dewasa yang lebih tua, hal ini bisa menjadi lebih lemah atau mungkin berhenti lebih awal.
• Sirkulasi lebih buruk. Penyempitan pembuluh darah, penyakit jantung, diabetes, dan obat-obatan tertentu mengurangi aliran darah ke kulit dan ekstremitas.
• Kondisi medis. Penyakit jantung, penyakit paru-paru, masalah tiroid, diabetes, penyakit Parkinson, demensia, stroke, dan radang sendi semuanya meningkatkan risiko. Penyakit dan infeksi dapat mengubah kendali suhu.
• Obat-obatan. Beberapa obat untuk tidur, kecemasan, depresi, alergi, tekanan darah tinggi, dan kesehatan mental memengaruhi cara tubuh merasakan atau menangani suhu, dan beberapa menyebabkan pusing atau kebingungan.
• Mobilitas dan isolasi yang terbatas. Orang yang tidak dapat bergerak dengan mudah, yang tinggal sendirian atau jarang keluar rumah mungkin tidak menyadari adanya rumah yang dingin, dan mereka mungkin tidak dapat memperoleh bantuan.
• Kekhawatiran biaya. Banyak orang lanjut usia yang menjaga suhu tetap rendah untuk menghemat uang, dan ada pula yang melewatkan makan atau obat-obatan untuk membayar energi. Ini adalah penyebab utama penyakit yang berhubungan dengan pilek.
• Alkohol. Minuman dapat terasa hangat namun mempercepat hilangnya panas.

Kematian akibat kedinginan di musim dingin sering kali disebabkan oleh serangan jantung, stroke, dan infeksi paru-paru, tidak hanya hipotermia. Suhu dingin meningkatkan tekanan darah dan membuat darah lebih mudah menggumpal, sehingga masalah jantung dan sirkulasi meningkat tajam pada cuaca dingin. Layanan Kesehatan Nasional (Inggris), Pusat Pengendalian dan Pencegahan Penyakit (Amerika Serikat) dan Kesehatan Kanada semuanya memperingatkan tentang risiko dalam ruangan ini.

Hipotermia dalam ruangan¶

Hipotermia berarti suhu inti tubuh turun di bawah 35 derajat Celcius (95 derajat Fahrenheit). Penyakit ini dapat terjadi di dalam rumah yang sejuk, terutama selama beberapa hari, dan dapat terjadi secara perlahan sehingga tidak ada yang menyadarinya. Orang tersebut mungkin tampak lelah, pendiam, atau bingung, dan keluarga mungkin menyalahkan usia atau penyakitnya.

Tanda-tanda peringatan¶

Karena orang lanjut usia mungkin tidak menggigil, tidak adanya menggigil tidak berarti mereka baik-baik saja. Carilah tanda-tanda lain seperti kulit dingin di perut atau punggung, kebingungan, bicara lambat, rasa kantuk yang tidak biasa, atau perubahan perilaku yang aneh.

Apa yang harus dilakukan¶

1. Hubungi nomor darurat setempat jika Anda melihat tanda-tanda selain menggigil ringan, atau jika orang tersebut kebingungan, sangat mengantuk, tidak responsif, atau tidak menggigil meskipun merasa kedinginan.
2. Pindahkan orang tersebut ke ruangan yang hangat jika Anda bisa melakukannya dengan lembut. Jangan biarkan mereka berjalan jika mereka lemah.
3. Lepaskan pakaian basah dan ganti dengan pakaian berlapis kering. Bungkus mereka dengan selimut, dengan topi atau kain di sekeliling kepala dan leher, dan letakkan insulasi di bawahnya.
4. Berikan minuman hangat, manis, non alkohol jika sudah sadar dan dapat ditelan. Jangan memberikan makanan atau minuman kepada orang yang mengantuk.
5. Place warm, not hot, water bottles wrapped in cloth against the chest, armpits and groin. Do not use a hot bath, heating pad on bare skin, or a hair dryer.
6. Tangani dengan lembut dan jangan menggosok lengan atau kaki.
7. Tetap bersama mereka dan periksa pernapasan. Jika mereka tidak responsif dan tidak bernapas dengan normal, mulailah CPR. Melihat CPR.

Untuk langkah perawatan selengkapnya, baca hipotermia dan radang dingin.

Suhu aman di rumah¶

Badan kesehatan memberikan panduan tentang suhu dalam ruangan. Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia dan banyak layanan kesehatan nasional menyarankan agar suhu ruang keluarga dijaga sekitar 18 derajat Celcius (64 derajat Fahrenheit) atau lebih tinggi untuk orang dewasa yang sehat. Orang lanjut usia, mereka yang tidak sehat, dan mereka yang tidak terlalu aktif mungkin memerlukan suhu yang sedikit lebih hangat, seperti 20 hingga 21 derajat Celcius (68 hingga 70 derajat Fahrenheit) di ruangan tempat mereka duduk. Kamar tidur sering kali disarankan bersuhu sekitar 18 derajat Celcius (64 derajat Fahrenheit) atau sedikit lebih dingin untuk tidur dengan perlengkapan tidur yang hangat.

These figures are general. Use a simple room thermometer in the living area and in the bedroom, and do not trust how the room feels. A thermometer with large numbers helps people with poor sight.

Keeping a home warm without risk¶

• Heat the rooms that are used most, and close doors to others. It is better to heat one room well than to heat the whole house poorly.
• Stop drafts with draft excluders, tape and curtains. Keep curtains closed at dusk and open them during the day to let in sun.
• Use a thermostat set steadily, rather than turning heating on and off. Constant moderate heat is often cheaper than short bursts, and safer.
• Dress warmly indoors: several thin layers, a cardigan, socks, slippers, and a hat if the house is cold. Wear a hat in bed if needed.
• Use blankets and a hot water bottle wrapped in a cover, or a modern electric blanket that is in good condition and is used according to the instructions. Do not use an electric blanket that is old, frayed or damaged, and do not use one if the person is incontinent or has dementia without medical advice.
• Sit with the legs raised and covered, and avoid sitting still for long periods. Stand up and move every hour.
• Makan makanan panas secara teratur dan minuman hangat. Makanan memberi tubuh bahan bakar untuk menghasilkan panas.
• Hindari alkohol, yang menyebabkan hilangnya panas dan meningkatkan risiko terjatuh.

Checking on neighbors¶

Many older adults live alone, and some have no family nearby. A simple check by a neighbor can be the difference between a minor problem and a tragedy. Cold snaps, storms and power outages are the times when checks matter most.

How to check in kindly¶

1. Make a plan before the weather turns. Knock, introduce yourself, and offer your phone number. Ask whether they would like a daily call or visit during cold weather, and who else should be contacted in a crisis.
2. Agree on a signal. For example, a blind raised in the morning, a phone call at a set time, or a card in the window. If the signal is missing, someone checks.
3. Call first if you can. A call lets the person speak without feeling intruded on, and you can tell if their speech is slurred or they are confused.
4. Visit in person during emergencies. Knock, wait patiently, and speak clearly. Some people take time to get to the door.
5. Ask open questions. How warm is the house? Do you have heat and power? Have you eaten today? Do you have your medicines? Have you fallen?
6. Look for signs. Is the house cold, with the heating off? Is mail or snow piling up? Are curtains still closed in the afternoon? Is there a smell of gas or smoke?
7. Offer practical help. Offer to shop, clear snow, collect medicine, charge a phone or move them to a warmer place.
8. Hargai kemandirian. Tawarkan daripada memaksa, dan hindari merendahkan orang tersebut. Banyak orang yang bangga, dan mereka lebih cenderung menerima bantuan dari seseorang yang memperlakukan mereka setara.

If no one answers¶

• Call the person on the phone and any known contacts, such as family, a caregiver or a friend.
• Look through the window and listen from the door for sounds of distress, calls for help, or a television running all day.
• Check for a key holder or a spare key if you have been given one, but do not enter a home that smells of gas or smoke, or where you suspect carbon monoxide.
• If you are worried, call your local emergency number and ask for a welfare check. Tell them what you know: the person's age, health, how long since contact, and any signs.
• Do not break in unless you see someone in obvious trouble and cannot wait. Give details to the dispatcher first.

Community networks¶

Some neighborhoods run block captain programs, volunteer check in schemes and registries of residents who need support. See neighborhood CERT mutual aid block captain plan and vulnerable neighbor registry. Ask local government, senior centers, faith communities, libraries, and charities about check in services, meals delivered to the door, and winter outreach teams. In the United Kingdom, Age UK and local councils run schemes. In the United States and Canada, local Area Agencies on Aging and Meals on Wheels programs often include wellness checks.

Heating assistance programs by country¶

Money worries are a major reason older adults keep homes too cold. Help exists, but programs and rules change often, so check the current details with the official source. A phone call to a local senior center, community organization, or social services office is a good start. Never wait until the heat is cut off to ask for help.

In the United States¶

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). A federal program that helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills, and in some places helps with emergency repairs and crisis situations. Apply through your state or local energy assistance office. Dialing 211 connects you to local services in many areas.
• Weatherization Assistance Program. Helps eligible households make homes more energy efficient through insulation, sealing and heating system repairs.
• Utility protections and payment plans. Many states restrict winter shutoffs for customers who are older or seriously ill, and many utilities offer budget billing, discounts and medical certificate programs. Call your utility before you fall behind and ask.
• Local help. Area Agencies on Aging, community action agencies, faith groups, the Salvation Army and similar charities often give emergency fuel or bill help.

In Canada¶

• Provinces and territories run their own programs, such as low income energy assistance, home energy efficiency grants, and winter heating benefits. Utility companies often run hardship funds. Check your provincial government website, your utility and local community services.
• Federal and provincial seniors benefits, tax credits and housing programs may offer support. Service Canada and your province can tell you which apply.
• Health Canada gives advice on cold weather safety and carbon monoxide.

In the United Kingdom¶

• Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment. These government payments have eligibility rules that have changed in recent years, so check the current rules on the GOV.UK website.
• Warm Home Discount. A discount on electricity bills for eligible households, through participating suppliers.
• Priority Services Register. Free service from your energy supplier and network operator that gives extra support during power cuts to people who are older, disabled or who depend on medical equipment. Ask your supplier to add you.
• Efisiensi energi dan hibah. Skema dan program otoritas lokal membantu peningkatan isolasi dan pemanasan.
• Badan amal seperti Age UK, Citizens Advice, dan dewan lokal memberikan nasihat gratis mengenai tunjangan dan tagihan, dan terkadang hibah.

Di Irlandia, Australia, Selandia Baru, dan tempat lain¶

• Ireland offers a fuel allowance and other support through the Department of Social Protection, and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland runs energy upgrade schemes.
• Australia memiliki konsesi energi dan rabat berbasis negara untuk para pensiunan dan warga lanjut usia. Periksa pemerintah negara bagian dan pengecer energi Anda.
• New Zealand offers a Winter Energy Payment to eligible people and insulation programs through government agencies.
• In the European Union, support differs by country. Look for national or local heating allowances, social tariffs, and energy poverty measures. Your local municipality, social services and consumer advice center can help.
• In other countries, contact local government, social services, faith groups and charities. Even where no formal program exists, community groups often provide blankets, fuel and meals during cold spells.

Tips for getting help¶

1. Gather basic documents: ID, proof of income, recent energy bills and proof of age or disability.
2. Ask a trusted relative, neighbor or caseworker to help with forms.
3. Call your energy supplier before you miss payments and ask about hardship programs.
4. Apply early in the season, since funds can run out.
5. Beware of scams. Never give bank details to a caller or visitor who says they are from a heating assistance scheme, and do not pay up front for government grants. Use official websites and phone numbers.

Food, medicine and health in the cold¶

Food and fluids¶

Older adults may not feel thirsty or hungry in the cold, but the body still needs fuel and fluid. Aim for regular hot meals, soups and warm drinks, and keep non perishable food in the house in case of storms. Consider home delivery of meals if shopping is hard. Check that the fridge and freezer are working, and that food that has been without power is safe. See spoiled food and fridge power outage.

Medicines¶

• Keep at least one to two weeks of medicines at home in winter if the prescriber allows, and keep a list of what is taken. Request refills before storms.
• Know which medicines need refrigeration, such as insulin, and have a plan for power outages. See temperature sensitive medications in a power outage.
• Keep a clear medicine routine, and avoid double doses or missed doses. See polypharmacy and pill organizer errors.
• Ask a pharmacist or doctor whether any of your medicines make you more sensitive to cold or more likely to fall.
• Get your seasonal vaccines, such as influenza and others that your health service recommends, to reduce winter illness.

Medical equipment¶

If someone depends on oxygen, a ventilator, a CPAP machine, a powered bed or a dialysis machine, tell the utility in advance, keep backup batteries or tanks, and have a plan to move to a safe place if the power fails. See pemadaman listrik untuk konsentrator oksigen, ventilator dan CPAP. Never smoke or use open flames near oxygen.

Falls, snow and ice¶

Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults, and winter ice increases the risk. A broken hip or a head injury can change an older person's life, and people on blood thinners can bleed inside the head even after a mild knock. Stay inside on icy days when possible, arrange deliveries, and wear boots with good grip and a cane with an ice tip if needed. If a fall happens, read slipping on ice: how to fall and when to seek care Dan pemulihan jatuh lansia ketika tidak mampu berdiri.

Do not let an older person with heart disease shovel snow. See shoveling snow safely, and arrange for help clearing paths and steps.

Dementia and wandering in cold weather¶

People with dementia may wander outside in thin clothing and become lost or hypothermic within an hour. Install door alarms or chimes, keep a recent photo and an ID bracelet, and tell neighbors who to call if they see the person outside. If someone wanders in freezing weather, call your local emergency number at once, because the risk rises quickly. See wandering senior in freezing or heatwave weather Dan dementia wandering and missing senior.

Power outages and winter storms¶

An outage in winter is a major risk for older adults. Plan before the storm.

• Bicarakan apa yang akan Anda lakukan jika listrik padam: ke mana harus pergi, siapa yang harus dihubungi, dan bagaimana menuju ke sana.
• Simpanlah baterai radio, obor (senter), baterai cadangan, power bank untuk telepon, pakaian hangat, selimut dan kantong tidur.
• Simpan daftar obat-obatan, dokter, dan kontak darurat di dompet dan lemari es. Melihat generator kartu kontak darurat.
• Jangan gunakan generator di dalam rumah, dan pasang alarm karbon monoksida bertenaga baterai di dalam rumah. Melihat keamanan pembangkit.
• Berangkat lebih awal jika rumah mulai dingin. Jangan menunggu sampai berbahaya.
• Setelah badai, periksa pipa dan pemanas dengan hati-hati sebelum mengembalikan panas normal. Melihat badai es, dahan pohon, dan memulihkan panas dengan aman Dan winter power outages and prolonged blackouts.

Decision flow for checking on an older neighbor¶

flowchart TD
    A["Cold weather or power cut"] --> B["Call the older neighbor"]
    B --> C{"Do they answer and sound clear?"}
    C -->|"No answer"| D["Visit and knock<br/>and call their contacts"]
    C -->|"Confused or slurred"| E["Call emergency number<br/>and go to them"]
    C -->|"Ya"| F{"Is the home warm<br/>and do they have food?"}
    D --> G{"Still no answer<br/>and you are worried?"}
    G -->|"Ya"| H["Call emergency number<br/>and ask for a welfare check"]
    G -->|"Tidak"| F
    F -->|"Tidak"| I["Help move them to warmth<br/>or arrange heat and food"]
    F -->|"Ya"| J["Agree on the next check<br/>and share your number"]

Comparing ways to stay warm at home¶

Daftar periksa untuk rumah musim dingin yang aman¶

• Termometer ruangan di ruang tamu dan kamar tidur, disetel setidaknya 18 derajat Celsius (64 derajat Fahrenheit).
• Alarm karbon monoksida dan alarm asap yang berfungsi, diuji bulan ini.
• Pemanasan diservis tahun ini, dan cerobong asap atau cerobong diperiksa jika digunakan.
• Draft proofing, curtains, blankets, hat and warm socks ready.
• At least a week of food, and medicines refilled.
• Telepon terisi daya, daftar kontak dan bank daya.
• A neighbor or relative who will check in daily during cold weather.
• Details of heating assistance and the utility's priority list.
• A plan for where to go if the heat or power fails.
• Grip boots, ice tip cane, and help with snow and ice clearing.

Supporting a family member from a distance¶

Many families live far from their older relatives. You cannot check a thermostat from another city, but you can set up a system that gives early warning. Start with a conversation before winter about what the person wants and what worries them, and agree on a few routines that feel respectful rather than controlling.

• Arrange a regular call at a fixed time each day in cold weather, and agree what you will do if it is missed.
• Ask a trusted neighbor, friend or local volunteer to be a second contact, and give them your number.
• Consider a smart thermostat or a simple temperature sensor that sends an alert to your phone if the home falls below a set temperature. Ask the person for permission first, and explain what is being monitored.
• Consider a personal alarm or fall detector that can call for help, and check that it is charged and worn.
• Arrange grocery and medicine delivery, and meal services, so that the person does not have to go out on ice.
• Pay or help with energy bills if you can, and help to apply for assistance. Many older adults are reluctant to ask.
• Visit before the cold arrives to check alarms, draft proofing, heating, ice grips for boots and the stock of food and medicine.
• Keep contact details for the person's doctor, pharmacy and neighbors with you, and learn who holds a spare key.

If you cannot reach the person and are worried, call a neighbor first, then call your local emergency number and ask for a welfare check. Give the dispatcher the address, the person's age, any health conditions and the time of the last contact.

Pertanyaan yang sering diajukan¶

What temperature should an older adult keep their home?¶

Many health services advise at least 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit) in the rooms where people spend time, and a little warmer, around 20 to 21 degrees Celsius (68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit), for people who are frail, unwell or not very active. Use a room thermometer rather than relying on how the room feels. Move the person to a warmer place if the home cannot be kept warm.

What are the signs of hypothermia in an older person?¶

Look for cold skin, tiredness, slurred speech, confusion, clumsiness, a puffy pale face, slow movement and slow breathing, and note that shivering may be weak or absent. Call your local emergency number if the person is confused, very drowsy or unresponsive. Warm them gently with dry layers and blankets while you wait.

How can I help an older neighbor without being intrusive?¶

Introduce yourself before bad weather, share your number, and offer a regular phone call or a signal such as a blind raised in the morning. Offer help with shopping, snow and warm meals, and let the person decide what they want. If you cannot reach them and you are worried, call your local emergency number and ask for a welfare check.

Where can I find help paying for heating?¶

Start with your energy supplier and your local senior center or social services office, which can point you to current programs. Examples include LIHEAP and weatherization in the United States, provincial energy programs in Canada, and Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment and the Priority Services Register in the United Kingdom. Check the official government website for current rules, and do not give bank details to anyone who calls or visits unasked.

Sumber diperiksa¶

This guide was checked against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (United States) pages on cold weather and older adults, the National Institute on Aging (United States) cold weather safety advice, Ready.gov and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (United States) winter storm guidance, the Administration for Children and Families guidance on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the National Weather Service (United States) wind chill pages, the American Red Cross winter safety advice, the National Health Service (United Kingdom) pages on keeping warm and hypothermia, the UK Health Security Agency cold weather guidance, GOV.UK pages on winter payments and the Warm Home Discount, Age UK winter advice, the Met Office (United Kingdom) winter pages, Health Canada pages on extreme cold and older adults, and the World Health Organization housing and health guidance. Program rules change, so verify them with the official source.

Learn first aid¶

A hands-on first aid course teaches you to recognize hypothermia, respond to falls and perform CPR with confidence. The Red Cross, St John Ambulance and local providers offer courses that suit older adults and family caregivers. Take one with the people who share your home or live nearby.

Panduan terkait¶

• Perencanaan darurat orang dewasa yang lebih tua
• Hipotermia dan radang dingin
• Power outage for oxygen concentrators, ventilators and CPAP
• Elderly fall recovery when unable to stand
• Winter storm safety: home heating and cold survival