长者冬天在家里也会失温：室内暖气至少开到68度，体温降到95度就是急症
美国国家老龄研究所（NIA）提醒，随着冬季临近，长者要特别防失温。长者散热更快，身体的变化又让人更难察觉体温在下降，结果可能在不知不觉中发展成失温这种严重状况，在室内室外都可能发生，短时间暴露在寒冷中也可能中招。
为什么长者更脆弱：身体对寒冷的反应会被慢性病削弱，一些药物，包括非处方的感冒药，也会影响体温调节。对长者来说，体温降到华氏95度或以下，可能引发心律问题、肾脏问题、肝损伤甚至更严重的后果。
失温的警示信号包括：说话变慢或含糊、嗜睡或意识混乱、发抖或手脚僵硬、动作控制变差、反应迟缓、脉搏微弱。NIA 说，一旦认为有人出现这些信号，要马上拨打911，并尽量把人移到更暖和的地方。
预防先从家里做起：把恒温器设到至少华氏68到70度，哪怕只是60到65度的微凉房间，也可能让长者失温。在家穿长内衣、袜子和拖鞋，用毯子盖住腿和肩，室内也可以戴帽子。出门要戴帽子、围巾和手套，穿几层宽松衣服把暖空气留住，并尽量让家人知道自己在户外、带上充满电的手机。付不起取暖费的家庭，可以向本地或州社会服务机构问家用取暖和制冷费用援助。（来源：国家老龄研究所）
Older Adults Can Get Hypothermia Indoors: Keep the Heat at Least 68 Degrees, and 95 Degrees Body Temperature Is an Emergency
As winter approaches, older adults need to understand the risks of hypothermia, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) says. Older adults can lose body heat quickly, and changes in the body with aging can make it harder to recognize a drop in body temperature, so a dangerous chill can develop before the person knows what is happening, indoors or outdoors, even after relatively short exposure to cold.
Older adults are especially vulnerable because the body's response to cold can be diminished by chronic medical conditions and by some medicines, including over-the-counter cold remedies. For an older person, a body temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower can cause heart rhythm disturbances, kidney problems, liver damage, or worse.
Warning signs include slowed or slurred speech, sleepiness or confusion, shivering or stiffness in the arms and legs, poor control over body movements, slow reactions and a weak pulse. If someone shows these signs, NIA says to call 9-1-1 right away and try to move the person to a warmer place.
Prevention starts at home: set the thermostat to at least 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, because even mildly cool homes at 60 to 65 degrees can lead to hypothermia in older adults. Wear long underwear, socks and slippers at home, use a blanket over legs and shoulders, and consider a hat or cap indoors. Outside, wear a hat, scarf and gloves or mittens with several loose layers, let others know you will be outdoors, and carry a fully charged cellphone. Households that struggle with heating costs can ask a local or state social services agency about help with home heating and cooling costs. (Source: National Institute on Aging)
来源：国家老龄研究所
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：图：一位穿冬装的年长女性。国家老龄研究所图片。 / Photo: An older woman dressed for winter. Image from the National Institute on Aging.
GSM Global · 本篇英文版 English edition of this story
