Elders and warmth retention. Any advice?

Someone said, "vitamins work only if your body has a low count" which is false. The ADEK vitamins are fat soluble and if one take these too often, one can store them and receive TOO much. Vitamins in pill form are mostly expensive urine. Get your vitamins from real food which is always best. Nutrition is taught in medical school for about one semester and not really emphasized in nursing school as well. I got none. The original question was dealing with being cold, and the endocrine system regulates the temperature of the body. No vitamin pill will solve this problem.

freqflyer- you said, "When it comes to vitamins, they only work if your body has a low count of that said vitamin." This is true. The problem is that many elder care/geriatric/normal doctors and nurses are too busy to learn squat about the nutritional needs of someone who has had gastric bypass.

Here is my personal example: when my family member fell ill with thryroid cancer and was in the hospital, I told everyone and anyone who would listen and even spoke to their on-staff nutritionist. Someone with gastric bypass needs at the very least 60 grams of protein. 90 is better. 120 is actually the best, especially for people ailing and needing more support.

After all my attempts at trying to communicate this, guess what they brought my family member? Spaghetti with a very small meat sauce. You could get more meat/protein from the cheapest Taco Bell taco. I had to smuggle in tubes of liquid protein, again from Vitamin Shoppe and no I'm not an employee or stockholder. I was just trying to save a life when no one else would listen.

Good things can come from doctors and nurses specializing in something; but bad things come as well because there is obviously a painful lack of communication.

I agree with samara that wool is best. Here is an example I found on Campmor's website. Doesn't matter that it's a man's style campmor/Product___75182

There is clothing made that keeps people who work and do outdoor sports warm but also wicks away the sweat so the body doesn't get chilled like you are talking about. They usually consist of a long sleeved undergarment on top and bottom. Usually the chest is the first to feel the chill. Since she wears diapers you may not want it on the lower half. I don't know. But I use these when hiking and my husband when cycling and they work great. also, I sewed up a bag (any size will do) and filled it with feed corn (some use rice) then stitch the end close. Heat this in the microwave a few minutes and place it around her neck, in her lap at her toes or wherever is cold. Use an U bleached muslin or 100% cotton. Do not use fleece as it sweats. I put one in my bed sheets every night in the winter to warm where my feet are and then I hug it to me. So comforting.

Re: heating pads or anything electric or battery--requires supervison! She could get tangled in the cords & strangle, or could wrap around a lamp and pull it over, or the heat could be too hot & she not know how to turn off, or even get burns.
Re: clothing/blankets--there is a popular quote "cotton kills" because it doesn't allow moisture to evaporate, it absorbs it and keeps it next to skin, where it encourage bacterial & fungal growth, not to mention, feeling cold. Avoid anything cotton. InInstead use nylon (undergarments), acrylic (socks, sweaters, blankets) and polyester blends with a looser weave, or polyester fleece (blouse & slacks). Best of all options is wool--best breathability of all, but mostly you'll find this in a washable version only in socks, sweaters & blankets.
Having thick socks on may help if she is not moving her lower limbs much, and for overall sense of being cold, wear a hat! This is because a lot of blood circulates thru the brain which is in your head (at least for females....). Alao consider a cowl or short neck scarf but these might be a strangulation hazard.

B-12 supplements are NOT sufficient. If she really is deficient, she will need IM injections of B-12 depending on her level of deficiency. Again, her thyroid needs to be checked with a blood test ordered from a doctor. A baby aspirin is only making her blood thinner and has nothing to do with her endocrine system.

Yes she is on B-12 suppliments, have not checked iron specifically, and just low dose bayer for blood! All good advise everyone, lot to read over and absorb! thanx!

As a nurse, the first thing I think of is she has a low thyroid (which causes her to be so cold), an iron deficiency and or B-12 deficiency. Have all of these checked. She also is not moving enough. Exercise is a great stimulator of vessels and she must be drinking lots of water too. Being dehydrated will cause the body to conserve resources and not heat the body, but again it sounds more like a thyroid problem. Why not get a heating pad or the mittens with heaters in them. Why can't you just dress her in layers, then when she does start to overheat, remove a layer. I'll bet if she eats five or six times a day (small meals) this will also help regulate her blood sugar. Hope this helps!

I missed what setting your mother is in and that could make a difference. As we age we do loose our ability to regulate temperature it is true. Perhaps if she is in private home, remove some of the overblankets from the house. Perhaps a better quality single blanket or even better a jacket that fits and suits your mother. If she is overweight and stays well hydrated than the being chilly might be fine. But if she is comfortably toasty when she is sweating maybe that is more to her preferences. It is difficult to state an answer as if it is black and white when there are unknowns and variables. Does she express that she is getting to warm and beginning to perspire? And I totally agree; chilly temperatures do not cause pneumonia or colds. We tend to get more viruses in winter because we tend to approximate to each other and spread germs more readily than when we are outside with the warm weather. It is a great myth about cold weather causing disease.

One question, Is she on coumadin or other blood thinner? If so, that would explain the feeling of always being cold. My mom could wear a sweatshirt on a day in the summer when it was 90 in the shade! The blood thinner seems to make people feel cold all the time. I would make sure my mom had on good socks and shoes, her sweatshirt with warm slacks. If that wasn't enough, we would put her shall on her and also if needed, her lap blanket. She never got sweaty though, but would take off the shall and blanket (always kept these on the back of her wheelchair) when she warmed up a bit. Thankfully she wasn't always hot, because it's easier to put something on than take too many things off!! Hopefully this answer helps some, and good luck with this.

Hey jujubean,
I am surprised that med pros haven't answered this for ya. So here goes,
There are differing reasons for the sense of hypothermia, hypothyroidism, CAD, thinning subcutaneous layer, poor diet, infrequent bathing, and the list goes on. However according to what you described this May not be the case. What appears to be the issue is a decrease in sensory perception at the subcutaneous layer giving the "feeling of cold" when in fact your loved one isn't actually coming down at all.
This could be dangerous as you are well to be concerned of the "sweats".
Further I would be very concerned if the med pros aren't communicating with you the resolution they are using other than blankets.
I care for my mom at home so I have complete control over the living conditions. I can only imagine the stress you have within her current care.
The internet has an immense amount of information, but you have to weed through the info that isn't relevant to your case.
Then again you could always ask for someone in the care facility to address the problem at hand (other than nursing staff) and don't be afraid to remind them they have licenses to protect.

Good luck.
Mom needs me again...

AH, Good point..will do ...
so just to clarify as I ranted that question out it mislead a bit
the experience with the rehab not following direction led some to believe she was in facility but no that was a temp stay she is home with me in my care that is why I get frustrated when the worker I hire to come into my house does not follow my directions maybe it is just a matter of principle a bit as common sense dictates....how I see it tho with the coffee I am sure and adamant, It is just frustrating that I have to explain myself to medical proffessionals, It Is my call and that is that,, it was an excuse for their errors....pass the buck!

and the root cause of me not being able to get proper respite...I have to know what I say goes. and if they are not performing under my nose, what happens when I am gone?

When it comes to vitamins, they only work if your body has a low count of that said vitamin.... otherwise you are just [ahem] peeing it out every day, and that's money down the drain, it's not going to do anything for you.

On the other side of the coin, if your body has a higher than normal count of that said vitamin, adding more could become toxic.

I highly recommend one see their doctor and get blood work done to see your vitamin levels.

jujubean, I'm glad to give you some hope but please be aware I don't profess to be an expert on these matters. Is there a store nearby called "The Vitamin Shoppe"? For about $20, they have chocolate whey protein...may I suggest 3 scoops which equals around 120 grams of protein and use Silk lite/light chocolate protein fake milk - add some ice cubes and it will taste like a chocolate milkshake. There's the protein until she gets sick of it - heaps, HEAPS better than "Ensure" anyway. If nothing else, I hope others will read this. In any case, I wish I could help you more...please solicit pam's input. I am more aware of the thyroid and gastric bypass issues, but pam has far more experience in dealing with issues that you are facing. I call her pam...it's pam "something". Best to you. :)

I do also have her on a vitamin regiment! fyi

and welcome to A/C!

yes once I found the flavorless protein powder that didn't give her diarreah to the 10th degree she has gained over 20lbs,,,,i put it in everything I can..yogurt applesauce soups biscuit n gravy anything it will mix in with and lots of high cal foods as well! Works great for us, as she is on mashed diet anyway cause she has lost her teeth one to many times and does fine without them so doc says don't worry just let it go that was before mashed food stage she could demolish anything in toddler size bites but a few things like pizza etc....
I am so pleased with her weight gain!!! Nestle Beneprotien thru walmart online!
Thanks HOBBESMOM for your input! XOXOXO

Hi jujubean, I've been a lurker on here for a couple of weeks and this is my first post so please bear with me. Per another post, consider getting her some microfiber (soft/stretchy) moisture-wicking long johns. I have heard good things about the "Under Armour" brand, but I've never tried it myself. They have socks as well. I hope pamstegman will give a more detailed response.

A family member also has thryoid issues (cancer) and had a gastric bypass. I truly wish more doctors and nurses would take the time to learn the long-term needs of gastric bypass patients. Some of her sensitivity to cold may be due to her lack of vitamins and adequate grams of protein. Ensure is not good enough. My family member has to take over 18 vitamins a day and ideally 90-120 grams of protein a day - just to give you an idea. So, that is an issue that compounds the general coldness that typical old folks feels.

The space heater is a good quick fix as long as it's not a safety hazard. In any case, best to you.

I'm not a medical professional, but I have read several times that getting a chill is not going to cause you get sick. The same applies to going outside without a coat into the cold. It won't give you a cold or flu. It's contracting a virus that does that.

Still, you don't want your mom to lie in wet bedding or clothing due to sweating. If the staff just ignore your wishes, I would contact the director and ask for a meeting with the relevant staff to discuss the issues you are having and come to some agreement, in writing.

Ya I get all that guys and I really appreciate the feedback but the real issue/question Is the soakin wet question, if one sits in moist clothing and then undressed, that wet body gets the cooler air causing a chill...it is happening I see the goosebumps..... that Is what bothers me.... in any other situation...people who have wet clothes on are colder than if they have dry clothes on!! Why is that so hard for a doctor or nurse to answer??? I believe I am correct in my assumption. I just want them to give their feedback, as it is a valid question, rather than shrug the shoulders type response!!
Thanks everyone!

I noticed when my mother spent weekends with me if she once got chilled she was in a poor state for the rest of the visit. Getting cold also had a negative effect on my husband when he had dementia. I guess getting cold is a physical stress, and stress can make dementia symptoms worse. I remember getting very cold on a skiing trip once, and it took me days to feel normal again.

Various illnesses can get the internal thermostat out of whack!

Interesting about the thyroid pills....she Is on those, long as I can remember, I was a tot, she has been on them....that could be part of her issue, I just worry about her being so bundled up she is moist with sweat doesn't sound good idea to me. When the cold air hits her for a diaper change. I do have her I the mastersuite with a recliner and bed, tv bathroom....we hang out in there together n relax with a space heater to keep It warm enuf for now.

Thanks everyone for all the input! I appreciate the positive feedback!!

I find if I feel cold, I tuck in the bottom of my shirt into my slacks... what a huge difference that makes.

My sig other gets chilled and he never had that problem until he started to take thyroid pills. Thank goodness he won't crank up the heat past 71... whew... at night I slip it down to 67.

Otherwise it would be like my parents house at 85 or higher, with Mom in her thermal underwear, long sleeve shirt, sweater, long pants, knee socks and shoes... and Dad in his shorts, sleeveless undershirt, and barefoot :P

Do you want a professional answer, or the common sense answer?

LL Bean has flannel shirts that are lined, also other types of shirts that are meant to be worn by hunters that keep you warm and sweat free. I put my Dad in them, and he is happy.

As a person who is always cold myself I know I would rather be sweating than chilly! But really, you should be able to find some balance. A hot water bottle on her lap would warm her core and hands. And I find keeping my feet and ankles warm really makes a difference as well. As for the coffee, buy decaf and let her have it. Hot drinks are another way to help her feel warm. There are some great herbal teas as well!

Well not so much the chills but her being soaking wet with perspiration! she is a "sweat"er and with respect to the coffee the other issue is she will not eat anything if given coffee whenever she wants ...she has had gastric bypass and has a tiny stomach! it must be nutritional and coffee is her dessert with a treat every meal! I KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR MY MOM AND I pay these people, they are not my moms advocate, I am, and I write the checks so...I think I should decide what is our daily routines! I live them not the strangers!!!

Chills don't cause pneumonia, rather chills can be a symptom of pneumonia. It's tough to get folks with dementia to understand their need for liquids. I would keep her comfortably warm with long underwear, a sweater or shawl and something warm oh her feet.

Same with the coffee.....that Is the only thing I can get her to drink without a fight and she always ask for it....no matter who I tell no coffee they do what they like....especially "in rehab facility" we already are struggling with liquid intake I need good electrolytes and plain water in her not just coffee.....and caffeine is a dehydrator so must be decaf if anything!! when challenged, nursing home says....oh she's old let her have what she wants, she deserves it...WTF....who put you in charge of my mom's health!