Að halda öldruðum öruggum í köldu veðri: ofkæling innandyra, athuga með nágranna og hitahjálp¶

Kalt veður er mun hættulegra fyrir eldra fólk en flestir gera sér grein fyrir og mikið af hættunni er innandyra. Eldri manneskja getur fengið ofkælingu í stofu sem finnst aðeins kalt, vegna þess að öldrun breytir því hvernig líkaminn skynjar kulda, framleiðir hita og heldur honum. Veturinn hefur einnig í för með sér fall á ís, álag á hjarta, flensu, kolmónoxíð vegna lélegrar upphitunar og hættu á að vera einn þegar eitthvað fer úrskeiðis.

Þessi handbók er fyrir eldra fólk, fjölskyldur þeirra og nágranna þeirra. Það útskýrir hvers vegna kuldi er áhættusamara með aldrinum, hvernig á að halda heimili við öruggt hitastig, hvernig á að viðurkenna ofkælingu innandyra, hvernig á að athuga með nágranna á öruggan og vinsamlegan hátt og hvernig á að finna aðstoð við hitunarkostnað í Bandaríkjunum, Kanada, Bretlandi og öðrum löndum. Það nær einnig yfir lyf, mat, byltur, kolmónoxíð og rafmagnsleysi. Sjáðu older adults emergency planning til aðalskipulags.

Gerðu þetta núna¶

1. Athugaðu hitastigið í herberginu þar sem eldri einstaklingurinn eyðir deginum og í svefnherberginu. Miðaðu við að minnsta kosti 18 gráður á Celsíus (64 gráður á Fahrenheit) í vistarverum og hlýrra ef viðkomandi finnst kalt, er veikburða eða líður illa. Færðu þau í hlýrra herbergi eða stað ef þau geta ekki orðið þægileg.
2. Leitaðu að viðvörunarmerkjum: köldu húð, skjálfti eða enginn skjálfti, syfja, sljórt tal, rugl, hægar hreyfingar eða bólgið, fölt andlit. Ef þú sérð þau skaltu hringja í neyðarnúmerið þitt (911 í Bandaríkjunum og Kanada, 112 í Evrópusambandinu, 999 í Bretlandi). Sjáðu neyðarnúmer.
3. Bættu við lögum, húfu, hlýjum sokkum og teppi og hjálpaðu viðkomandi að borða og drekka eitthvað heitt. Fjarlægðu rakan fatnað og haltu þeim frá dragi.
4. Athugaðu hvort virka kolmónoxíðviðvörun og reykskynjari séu til staðar og að ekkert grill, tjaldeldavél, rafal eða gasofn sé notaður fyrir hita.
5. Check on neighbors who are older or alone, by phone or at the door, and agree on a daily check in during cold spells. Leave a number they can call.
6. If the power or heating fails, move the person to a warm relative's home, a warming center or a shelter early, rather than waiting until the house is very cold.

Why older adults are more at risk¶

Several changes with age make cold harder to handle. None of them is a fault or a failure. They are normal, and a few simple steps can protect against them.

• A weaker sense of cold. Older people often do not feel cold until their body temperature has fallen. They may say they are fine when they are not.
• Less body heat. Muscle mass and metabolism fall with age, so the body makes less heat. Thinner skin and less body fat give less insulation.
• Slower shivering. Shivering is the body's main way of making heat in the short term, and in older adults it can be weaker or may stop early.
• Poorer circulation. Narrowed blood vessels, heart disease, diabetes and certain medicines reduce blood flow to the skin and extremities.
• Medical conditions. Heart disease, lung disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, dementia, stroke and arthritis all raise risk. Illness and infection can change temperature control.
• Medicines. Some medicines for sleep, anxiety, depression, allergies, high blood pressure and mental health affect how the body senses or handles temperature, and some cause dizziness or confusion.
• Limited mobility and isolation. People who cannot move easily, who live alone or who rarely go out may not notice a cold house, and they may not be able to get help.
• Cost worries. Many older adults keep heating low to save money, and some skip meals or medicine to pay for energy. This is a leading cause of cold related illness.
• Alcohol. A drink can feel warming but speeds heat loss.

Cold related deaths in winter are often due to heart attack, stroke and lung infection, not only hypothermia. Cold raises blood pressure and makes blood more likely to clot, so heart and circulation problems rise sharply in cold weather. The National Health Service (United Kingdom), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (United States) and Health Canada all warn about these indoor risks.

Indoor hypothermia¶

Hypothermia means the body's core temperature has dropped below 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). It can occur indoors in a cool home, especially over several days, and it can build slowly so that no one notices. The person may seem tired, quiet or confused, and families may blame age or illness.

Warning signs¶

Because older adults may not shiver, absence of shivering does not mean they are fine. Look for other signs such as cold skin on the stomach or back, confusion, slow speech, unusual sleepiness or a strange change in behavior.

What to do¶

1. Call your local emergency number if you see signs beyond mild shivering, or if the person is confused, very sleepy, unresponsive or not shivering despite feeling cold.
2. Move the person to a warm room if you can do so gently. Do not allow them to walk if they are weak.
3. Remove wet clothing and replace it with dry layers. Wrap them in blankets, with a hat or cloth around the head and neck, and put insulation under them.
4. Give warm, sweet, non alcoholic drinks if they are awake and can swallow. Do not give food or drink to someone who is drowsy.
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. Handle gently and do not rub the arms or legs.
7. Stay with them and check breathing. If they are unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR. See CPR.

For full care steps read ofkæling og frost.

Öruggt hitastig heima¶

Heilbrigðisstofnanir gefa leiðbeiningar um hitastig innandyra. Alþjóðaheilbrigðismálastofnunin og mörg innlend heilbrigðisþjónusta leggja til að stofur séu um það bil 18 gráður á Celsíus (64 gráður á Fahrenheit) eða hærri fyrir heilbrigða fullorðna. Eldra fólk, þeir sem eru illa staddir og þeir sem eru ekki mjög virkir gætu þurft að hafa það aðeins hlýrra, eins og 20 til 21 gráður á Celsíus (68 til 70 gráður á Fahrenheit) í herberginu þar sem þeir sitja. Svefnherbergi er oft ráðlagt að vera í kringum 18 gráður á Celsíus (64 gráður á Fahrenheit) eða örlítið kaldara fyrir svefn með heitum rúmfötum.

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.
• Eat regular hot meals and warm drinks. Food gives the body fuel for heat.
• Avoid alcohol, which causes heat loss and increases the risk of falls.

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. Respect independence. Offer rather than insist, and avoid talking down to the person. Many people are proud, and they are more likely to accept help from someone who treats them as an equal.

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.
• Ef þú hefur áhyggjur skaltu hringja í neyðarnúmerið þitt og biðja um velferðareftirlit. Segðu þeim það sem þú veist: aldur viðkomandi, heilsu, hversu langt er liðið frá snertingu og hvers kyns merki.
• Ekki brjótast inn nema þú sérð einhvern í augljósum vandræðum og getur ekki beðið. Gefðu sendanda upplýsingar fyrst.

Samfélagsnet¶

Í sumum hverfum er keyrt fyrirliðaforrit, innritunarkerfi sjálfboðaliða og skrár yfir íbúa sem þurfa stuðning. Sjáðu hverfis CERT gagnkvæm aðstoð blokk skipstjóra áætlun og viðkvæma nágrannaskrá. Spyrðu sveitarfélög, öldrunarmiðstöðvar, trúarsamfélög, bókasöfn og góðgerðarstofnanir um innritunarþjónustu, máltíðir sendar heim að dyrum og vetrarstarfshópar. Í Bretlandi reka Age UK og sveitarfélög áætlanir. Í Bandaríkjunum og Kanada innihalda svæðisstofnanir um öldrun og máltíðir á hjólum oft vellíðan.

Upphitunaraðstoðaráætlanir eftir löndum¶

Peningaáhyggjur eru meginástæða þess að eldra fólk heldur heimilum of kalt. Hjálp er til, en forrit og reglur breytast oft, svo athugaðu núverandi upplýsingar hjá opinberu heimildinni. Símtal til öldrunarmiðstöðvar á staðnum, samfélagsstofnunar eða félagsþjónustuskrifstofu er góð byrjun. Aldrei bíða þar til hitinn er slökktur til að biðja um hjálp.

Í Bandaríkjunum¶

• Lágtekjur heimaorkuaðstoðaráætlunar (LIHEAP). Alríkisáætlun sem hjálpar gjaldgengum heimilum að greiða hita- og kælireikninga og sums staðar hjálpar til við neyðarviðgerðir og hættuástand. Sæktu um í gegnum orkuaðstoðarskrifstofu ríkisins eða sveitarfélaga. Hringing í 211 tengir þig við staðbundna þjónustu á mörgum sviðum.
• Veðrunaraðstoðaráætlun. Hjálpar gjaldgengum heimilum að gera heimili orkusparnari með einangrun, þéttingu og viðgerðum á hitakerfum.
• Vörn fyrir veitur og greiðsluáætlanir. Mörg ríki takmarka vetrarlokanir fyrir viðskiptavini sem eru eldri eða alvarlega veikir og margar veitur bjóða upp á kostnaðarreikninga, afslátt og læknisvottorð. Hringdu í þjónustuna þína áður en þú fellur á bak og spyrðu.
• Staðbundin aðstoð. Svæðisstofnanir um öldrun, samfélagsaðgerðastofnanir, trúarhópar, Hjálpræðisherinn og álíka góðgerðarsamtök veita oft neyðareldsneyti eða reikningshjálp.

Í Kanada¶

• Héruð og svæði reka sín eigin áætlanir, svo sem lágtekjuorkuaðstoð, orkunýtingarstyrki fyrir heimili og vetrarhitunarbætur. Veitufyrirtæki reka oft erfiðleikasjóði. Athugaðu vefsíðu héraðsstjórnarinnar, tólið þitt og staðbundna samfélagsþjónustu.
• Alríkis- og héraðskjör eldri borgara, skattafsláttur og húsnæðisáætlanir geta boðið upp á stuðning. Þjónusta Kanada og hérað þitt geta sagt þér hvað á við.
• Health Canada gefur ráð um öryggi í köldu veðri og kolmónoxíð.

Í Bretlandi¶

• Vetrareldsneytisgreiðsla og Kaldaveðurgreiðsla. Þessar ríkisgreiðslur hafa hæfisreglur sem hafa breyst á undanförnum árum, svo athugaðu núverandi reglur á heimasíðu GOV.UK.
• Warm Home Discount. A discount on electricity bills for eligible households, through participating suppliers.
• Forgangsþjónustuskrá. Ókeypis þjónusta frá orkuveitu og símafyrirtæki sem veitir auka stuðning við rafmagnsleysi til fólks sem er eldra, fatlað eða háð lækningatækjum. Biddu birgjann þinn um að bæta þér við.
• Orkunýting og styrkir. Áætlanir og áætlanir sveitarfélaga hjálpa til við uppfærslu á einangrun og hita.
• Góðgerðarsamtök eins og Age UK, Citizens Advice og sveitarstjórnir veita ókeypis ráðgjöf um fríðindi og reikninga, og stundum styrki.

In Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere¶

• Írland býður upp á eldsneytisgreiðslur og annan stuðning í gegnum félagsmálaráðuneytið og sjálfbær orkustofnun á Írlandi rekur orkuuppfærslukerfi.
• Ástralía hefur ríkisbundið orkuívilnanir og afslátt fyrir lífeyrisþega og eldri borgara. Athugaðu ríkisvaldið þitt og orkusala.
• New Zealand offers a Winter Energy Payment to eligible people and insulation programs through government agencies.
• Í Evrópusambandinu er stuðningur mismunandi eftir löndum. Leitaðu að innlendum eða staðbundnum hitaveitum, félagslegum gjaldskrám og ráðstöfunum um orkufátækt. Sveitarfélagið þitt, félagsþjónusta og neytendaráðgjöf geta aðstoðað.
• 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¶

Matur og vökvi¶

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 rafmagnsleysi fyrir súrefnisþykkni, öndunarvélar og 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 og aldraðir falla bata þegar þeir geta ekki staðið.

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 og 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.

• Talk through what you will do if power fails: where to go, who to call and how to get there.
• Keep a battery radio, torches (flashlights), spare batteries, a power bank for the phone, warm clothing, blankets and a sleeping bag.
• Keep a list of medicines, doctors and emergency contacts in a wallet and on the fridge. See neyðarsnertikortarafall.
• Do not use a generator inside, and put a battery powered carbon monoxide alarm in the home. See generator safety.
• Leave early if the house is getting cold. Do not wait until it is dangerous.
• After the storm, check pipes and heating carefully before restoring normal heat. See ice storm, tree limbs and restoring heat safely og 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 -->|"Já"| F{"Is the home warm<br/>and do they have food?"}
    D --> G{"Still no answer<br/>and you are worried?"}
    G -->|"Já"| H["Call emergency number<br/>and ask for a welfare check"]
    G -->|"Nei"| F
    F -->|"Nei"| I["Hjálpaðu til við að koma þeim í hlýju<br/>eða raða hita og mat"]
    F -->|"Já"| J["Samþykktu næstu athugun<br/>og deildu númerinu þínu"]

Að bera saman leiðir til að halda hita heima¶

Checklist for a safe winter home¶

• Room thermometer in the living area and bedroom, set to at least 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Working carbon monoxide alarm and smoke alarm, tested this month.
• Heating serviced this year, and chimney or flue checked if used.
• Draft proofing, curtains, blankets, hat and warm socks ready.
• At least a week of food, and medicines refilled.
• Phone charged, list of contacts and a power bank.
• 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.

Algengar spurningar¶

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.

Heimildir athugaðar¶

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.

Lærðu skyndihjálp¶

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.

Tengdir leiðsögumenn¶

• Neyðaráætlun eldra fullorðinna
• Ofkæling og frost
• Power outage for oxygen concentrators, ventilators and CPAP
• Aldraðir falla bata þegar þeir geta ekki staðið
• Winter storm safety: home heating and cold survival