My mother in law lives in our home and wants the heat on all the time. Any suggestions?
She acts like a child if she don't get her way. I, my husband and 14 year old son lives in the home. We moved her in 4 years ago because she can't be on her own anymore.
Donna, make sure Mother's shirt is tucked into her pants, that can make a world of difference, same if she wears two piece pajamas. Light weight socks in bed at night really helped, too.
My parents had their own thermostat wars as Mom always dressed like she was going on an Arctic adventure, and Dad would be dressed for a day at the beach. Mom usually won the temp wars. My parents were in their 90's.
Also, a person who has a thyroid condition can feel extra cold. That was why my Mom's hands and feet felt like ice, and with her arthritis it made it very painful for her.
Tucson is not that warm this time of year. It will go down into the high 30's or low 40's at night with highs in the low to mid 60's during the day. Yes, even I would think that needs heat to be on.
As we age our skin thins which is our primary protection from heat and cold. It wouldn't be unusual for her to feel cold even in the warmest months because of air conditioning.
Often the elderly cannot regulate their temperature very well and they will feel cold, in a room that is comfortable for others. Some of it is general slowing down of metabolism, partly being sedentary and lastly due to loss of body mass.
I remember visiting an elderly lady who kept her house at 80 plus degrees year round. I sweltered when visiting her, she wore a wool sweater to keep warm.
If you have central heat you may need to provide her with auxiliary heat in her bedroom, as well as warm layers of clothing to wear.
Well, considering you live in Tucson Arizona and your MIL wants the heat on all the time, that sounds like a problem to me, frankly! Why not buy her some long underwear and other things like an electric throw blanket, warm booties, and a knitted cap so she can stay warm instead of forcing the rest of you to sweat bullets? It's called 'compromise' and many elders are completely unaware of the word and if they do know of it, they have no interest in it! Buy her those warm clothing items and let her know the heat will NOT be turned on in the house until and unless it reaches X degrees. Learn to ignore her childish tantrums, just like we did when our kids threw them!
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My parents had their own thermostat wars as Mom always dressed like she was going on an Arctic adventure, and Dad would be dressed for a day at the beach. Mom usually won the temp wars. My parents were in their 90's.
Also, a person who has a thyroid condition can feel extra cold. That was why my Mom's hands and feet felt like ice, and with her arthritis it made it very painful for her.
As we age our skin thins which is our primary protection from heat and cold. It wouldn't be unusual for her to feel cold even in the warmest months because of air conditioning.
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I remember visiting an elderly lady who kept her house at 80 plus degrees year round. I sweltered when visiting her, she wore a wool sweater to keep warm.
If you have central heat you may need to provide her with auxiliary heat in her bedroom, as well as warm layers of clothing to wear.
Good luck!