It's summer and when the house reaches 84 degrees I put on the air conditioner, but my husband says he is cold?
My 84 yr old husband sits in his easy chair moving only to eat or go to the bathroom. Refuses to put on more clothes. He had a hear attack 16 years ago and I had one 3 years ago and this place is burning up to me. What could be the problem?
Mom's nursing home has to keep the temperature fairly warm all year round to satisfy the residents. Then the poor aides run around sweating. My mom, wheel-chair bound, is cold all the time. We have a sign in her room to remind aides to put a sweater on her every day. She has some fingerless gloves she can wear and still use her hands. She using a lap blanket nearly all the time. When we go for a walk she says, "Aren't you cold with no jacket on?" and it is 80 degrees out.
But notice what the nursing home and her family do to accommodate her need for extra warmth: She wears extra layers, uses lap blankets, etc.
It is not reasonable for your husband to refuse measures that could make him more comfortable without making you suffer. Is your husband still able to be reasonable?
Being cold just seems to be a common thing with seniors. Sometimes, it's due to a medical reason. You say that he is a heart patient. Does he take blood thinners? That could be contributing. I'd discuss it with his doctor. It is also associated with thyroid conditions and also dementia. So, it's hard to say. I found that no matter how warm you get it, it may not be enough for some seniors. If the dilemma can't be worked out, I would try to rearrange the house. Can you place husband and his easy chair in a room that allows you to block the air vent? Then the rest of the house could be kept a normal temp. Or vice versa. Convincing people that it's hot or that they should put on a sweater, doesn't seem to work from what I've seen. It's worth a try I suppose.
It isn't unusual for many older people to feel cold. I remember going into my parents home [they were in their 90's] and I felt like I was walking into a major hot flash. My late Mom would be bundled up like she was expecting a blizzard in the middle of July... and my Dad was dressed only in shorts, nothing else, as it was too warm for him.
Now 6 months later, my Dad is living in Assisted Living and I will find the heat is on and it's 80 degrees in his apartment, and here it is the middle of August. Good grief.
I believe, such as your husband, is that they are sitting too much, not moving around. Thus, they will feel cold. See if your hubby will help you with household chores, some guys will run the vacuum.... help with carrying laundry.... anything else you feel is safe for them to do. Then maybe the inside temp won't be set so warm.
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But notice what the nursing home and her family do to accommodate her need for extra warmth: She wears extra layers, uses lap blankets, etc.
It is not reasonable for your husband to refuse measures that could make him more comfortable without making you suffer. Is your husband still able to be reasonable?
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Now 6 months later, my Dad is living in Assisted Living and I will find the heat is on and it's 80 degrees in his apartment, and here it is the middle of August. Good grief.
I believe, such as your husband, is that they are sitting too much, not moving around. Thus, they will feel cold. See if your hubby will help you with household chores, some guys will run the vacuum.... help with carrying laundry.... anything else you feel is safe for them to do. Then maybe the inside temp won't be set so warm.