Why Older Adults and Extreme Weather Matters, Explained Simply
Older Adults and Extreme Weather: what it is, why it matters, and what published guidance actually asks of you.
Aging changes how the body controls temperature, and chronic illness, medicines and living alone can add to the risk.
Key takeaways
- Heat: older adults do not adjust as well to sudden changes in temperature
- Cold: older adults can lose body heat quickly, even indoors
- Most useful single change: Check on older relatives and neighbors at least twice a day during heat waves.
- Commonest mistake: Turning the heat down too low to save money in winter.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
The short answer
Why older adults face higher risks in heat, cold and storms, and how families and neighbors can help.
Where it fits
This is part of Weather Safety. The published position is set out below, along with what it means day to day.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Heat | older adults do not adjust as well to sudden changes in temperature |
| Cold | older adults can lose body heat quickly, even indoors |
| Indoor heating | set the thermostat to at least 68°F (20°C) in cold weather |
| Energy bills | the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help with heating and cooling costs |
| Medicines | some medicines make it harder to manage heat or cold |
What that means in practice
Translated into things you can actually do:
- Check on older relatives and neighbors at least twice a day during heat waves
- Know where local cooling and warming centers are
- Keep a list of medicines and a supply of them ready for emergencies
- Plan ahead for power-dependent medical equipment
What gets people into trouble
The mistakes that come up again and again:
- Turning the heat down too low to save money in winter
- Relying on a fan alone in extreme heat
- Using a gas stove or oven to heat the home
Related topics
- Sun and Heat Abroad: What the Evidence Actually Says (Travel Health)
- The Evidence on Skin and Aging, Without the Hype (Skin Health)
- Loneliness and Aging: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise (Healthy Aging)
- What the Guidance Really Says About Mental Health and Long-Term Illness (Long-Term Conditions)
Where to go next
- Older Adults and Extreme Weather: Common Myths and What Guidelines Say
- Starting Out With Older Adults and Extreme Weather
- Older Adults and Extreme Weather — the reference entry
- Weather Safety: The Complete Guide
- Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke: What the Evidence Actually Says
- Heat and Medications: What Published Guidance Supports
When to speak to a doctor
Call 911 if an older adult is confused, very drowsy, has a temperature of 103°F or higher, or has a temperature below 95°F. Call their doctor if they feel unwell in the heat or cold and take medicines that affect fluid balance.
Where this comes from
- National Institute on Aging — Hot Weather Safety for Older Adults
- National Institute on Aging — Cold Weather Safety for Older Adults
- CDC — Heat and Older Adults
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
