Follow
Share

My grandma complains all of the time about being cold. Even in 90+ weather. The heater we have on her bathroom can get so hot if feels like you are suffocating but she refuses to turn it off. Is this normal behavior? She has dementia and refuses to turn the heater off. Is this normal?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
I don;t know about only dementia pts,, but my elderly parents were always cold, as is my 87 YO healthy Aunt. I think its just an aging thing..
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

It's very common, rather than normal exactly. If you spent most of your waking hours sitting still you'd feel the cold too.

In the bathroom it's absolutely vital to keep it warm and draft free - you can always ventilate afterwards, once she's all snug and dry and wrapped up again.

Is she drinking plenty?
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
JamieLynn1 Jan 2021
she does have a hard time getting her fluids in but we are improving daily. She heater scares me bc she is on the verge of passing out. When she comes out she is very lightheaded.
(0)
Report
Older people move less and their metabolism is slower, I know that often when I touched my mom's legs they would feel like ice even though the room was warm (or hot). My mom really liked her electric blanket, it kept her cozy. When it comes to heating the bathroom it's par for the course for the caregiver to be sweating while the person being bathed/showered is shivering, they are wet and if they being helped the curtain is open allowing in drafts, they also can't move as fast as we would to get dry and dressed.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

My dad is often cold. I think it's because of poor circulation, not enough walking, and also asperin which things the blood.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

I live in NC, and it's warm to hot here at least 8+ months out of the year. My husband when he was still alive, wore a hoodie sweatshirt 12 months out of the year(with the hood pulled tight around his head), along with sweatpants, as he complained he was cold all the time. He was only 72 when he died. He did have vascular dementia, but I don't believe that was why he was cold. He just had poor circulation.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Old people are always cold, regardless of their ailment. My mother wears a sweater 365 days a year, even when it's over 100°.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter