Feeling Comfortable

Feeling Comfortable

If all this improvement doesn't warm up their feet or hands
(feel them yourself) put extra socks on. Warming up their feet
might have the effect of warming up hands, too. But if it doesn't,
raise the room temperature.
Being forced to feel cold is an undeserved misery of the
aged.
Others must accommodate to the elderly's need for body
warmth. The thermometer does not tell all. Comfort is paramount
for each of us. Younger persons can undress for comfort. The
elderly can't make changes for themselves. Usually, by the time
they are complaining of cold, they have suffered a long

time, feeling too guilty to request a temperature hike. Ask your
loved one. They will appreciate it. A shawl, a lap-blanket,
woolen sweater, long underwear and fleecy thermal outerwear
help a lot. But if your hand still senses cold feet, the thermostat
must still go higher. Cold body temperature is an invitation for
fungus and viruses to multiply. Viruses escape into the body
daily. Don't give them the advantage.

But unless all these things are tried, don't raise the temperature.
It is much healthier to be warmly dressed and breathe cool
air than to be lightly dressed in an 80°F room. The heart, especially,
benefits by the cooler air temperature.
For this reason, it is important to have air conditioning during
the hot season. Keep your elderly person warmly dressed, away
from air conditioner or fan drafts, but keep it cool. As cool as
their body temperature and comfort will allow. Don't seat an
elderly person under a fan in restaurants. The blowing air not

only chills them, but brings filth in dust that blows in the air
currents. Bacteria and viruses are soon to follow.
Being comfortable, knowing you are there to care for them,
brings out the best in your elderly person. They might get well
enough to long for a genuine relationship again. And put you to
the test. The test of listening. This can be very rewarding if they
are still able to communicate and distill their life experience into
wisdom for you. If you can listen and be interested in their distillations
or their ramblings their longing for relationship will be
fulfilled. There's just one catch, if the new found interest in
communication can't be expressed. If they haven't communicated
much for a long time, it would be easy for you to miss a simple
fact. They can't hear!