The metabolism of the senior citizen is going to be much different than an average individual, especially younger people that are constantly growing. As an elderly person ages, the metabolism will slow down, which is why they often need to be in areas that are warmer.
Popular retirement destinations, such as the many communities throughout Florida, are a testament to this fact about the elderly. If you do take care of the senior citizen at your home, and they are having trouble sleeping at night, it could be that the temperature in the room is not appropriate for them.
Let’s look closer at the best sleep temperature range for older adults.
Why Their Sleep Temperature Is So Important
The main reason that regulating the temperature in the room where your elderly person will be sleeping is because their own body is losing its ability to maintain constant temperatures. This could be due to their age, or perhaps a health issue, which will make it difficult for them to stay warm at all times.
Although you could provide them with blankets, it is better to simply have a room that is adjusted to the proper temperature for them. These temperatures can differ whether they are awake or asleep.
Let’s begin with what temperature is the best for the elderly when they are moving throughout your home.
What Is The Best Room Temperature For Elderly People?
Studies have shown that the average temperature for elderly people that is most comfortable while they are awake is 78°. In regard to the lowest temperature that they would be able to stand and remain healthy is 65°.
You may notice that this person in your life is often using multiple layers of clothing. Perhaps they knitted sweater that they have worn for years. As long as you can keep the temperature between 65° and 78°, they should be more than comfortable.
If elderly people, conversely, prefer colder temperatures, they may have a health related issue. For example, hyperthyroidism is a common condition that the elderly develop as a result of endocrine conditions affecting the body.
However, for most people, staying within this ranges the most ideal temperature range for the elderly while they are moving about.
RELATED: Why Do Elderly People Sleep So Much?
Maintaining The Most Comfortable Temperature For Seniors
The best way to maintain a continuous temperature within any household for the elderly is to have an HVAC system installed. This will have the thermostat which they can easily control, typically one that has an easy to use digital display.
It can show many different readings for the room including the temperature, humidity, and other indoor factors. These can also be connected to a smart phone if they prefer using their smart devices.
It is very important to place the sensors in areas where they will be spending the most time. After all, the thermostat cannot get an accurate reading of the temperature if they are not in areas where they will be most active. The same is true for placing sensors in the room where they will sleep. This will enable them to adjust the temperature accordingly.
Although they may have a particular temperature that they prefer, there are actually statistics on what temperature is likely the best for senior citizens when they are trying to sleep.
Best Temperature For Seniors Sleeping
According to recent studies, there are certain temperatures that people prefer when they are sleeping depending upon their age.
For example, adults prefer temperatures that range from 60° to 72°F. For babies, and even toddlers, 65° to 70°F is the optimal range. For the elderly, this temperature range is almost identical, ranging from 66° to 70°F. This is why it is so important to have a system within your home that can accurately detect how hot or cold each individual room is.
If you don’t have a central heating system in your household, you will certainly want to invest in a thermometer and a separate heating system for their room. This will enable them to have full control over how hot or cold it is in their room so that they are comfortable at night.
As with adults and children, seniors need to get at least seven hours of sleep in order to maintain their health.
How To Monitor The Temperature In The Room Accurately
Not too long ago, mercury thermometers were considered to be the most accurate way to measure temperatures within a room. However, modern technology has made it possible for digital thermometers to become much more accurate and they are much easier to use.
For example, within seconds, you can get a readable temperature that will be extremely accurate. You will want to place these thermometers in different rooms where they will spend the most time including the family room, their bedroom, and also the bathroom which is theirs to use.
By connecting these digital thermometers to your home computer, or to your smart phones, you can monitor this from any location. If they are unable to make these adjustments on their own, they can simply call you and you can make the adjustments remotely.
When choosing one of these digital thermometers you will want to consider the design, the speed, readability, and its overall accuracy. You can find ratings for many of these online which will lead you to the best one suited for the elderly person in your life.
As long as you are able to maintain constant temperatures within your home for your elderly person, they will be comfortable during both day and night.
Use the guidelines presented to not only adjust the temperature accordingly, the choose the right devices to help maintain these temperatures on a continual basis.
In particular, in the room that they sleep, be sure to keep the temperature between 66° and 70°F. This will be the best sleep temperature for most seniors barring any health issues that they may currently be experiencing.
Sources:
- https://www.onehourheatandair.com/articles/expert-tips/air-conditioners/what-is-the-ideal-room-temperature-for-an-elderl/
- https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hyperthyroidism/hyperthyroidism-overview-overactive-thyroid
- https://www.acurite.com/blog/ideal-room-temperature-elderly-people.html
- https://www.sleepadvisor.org/best-temperature-for-sleep/
