One day the air conditioner is running and the next thing you know warm air is blowing out of the floor vent when you wake up in the morning. No, this is not a HVAC malfunction; it is a weather malfunction. Isn’t the temperature supposed to gradually decrease as one season turns into another? On October 3, the high and low temperatures were 100 and 66 degrees; this past week the spread was 71 to 21 degrees. Again I say brrr. One weatherman referred to this pre-winter cold front as a Siberian blast. That explains why Siberia has a population density of about 7 (very cold) inhabitants per square mile, not to mention being the government’s choice for prisons, labor camps and internal exiles.

In spite of these freezing unseasonal temps in the piedmont of N.C., we still have another month of autumn. The forecast for Thanksgiving Day is in keeping with a more average high temperature of 53 and low of 32 degrees with partly sunny skies.

Whether it comes early or late, there is no avoiding those spells of cold weather that leave us yearning for summer before spring arrives. Unfortunately, the heater in Stormy (the convertible my husband and I have owned and enjoyed for nearly ten years) malfunctioned just as the cold weather hit. Now, I adore riding in Stormy in the spring, not-too-hot summer days, and autumn – but winter (with the top up) is just not the same. And without a heater…well that’s a no-go. Randy took it in to be repaired and was told the part would have to be ordered from Texas. Alas, what would we do without Stormy? Not to bother; the dealership gave Randy a loaner since Stormy is also his go-to-work car. He arrived home in a sleek new shiny black model – the grandkids said it looked like a batmobile. 

We had planned to take our daughter Emily and her husband Steven out for dinner to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary, so Randy offered to drive the loaner. (I always suspect the purpose of providing since a nice car while the old broken down one is being repaired is to tempt you to purchase a new car.)

The below-freezing temperatures had just arrived and I was thankful for a warm car. The fancy screen and assortment of self-drive helps fascinated me. As I snuggled into the comfy seat, pulling my jacket around me, I began to feel a warm sensation flow throughout my body – beginning with my upper thighs. Heated seats! Oh, my, this was a luxury I was not accustomed to…but I could get used to it very quickly. Having the coldness addressed so subtly – no puff of hot air blowing into your face – was delightful. I suggested we could just ride around town instead of stopping at the restaurant to eat.

I was reminded that if we never experienced being chilled to the bone, we could not appreciate the comfort of heat (or heated seats).

This experience reminded me that it is time for caregivers to prepare for the winter months of December, January and February – one frosty morning after another, usually accompanied by chilly days and frigid nights. Cold can actually hurt and if not attended to can even be dangerous. Here are a few ideas to help you and your loved one experience winter in a comfortable – rather than miserable – environment. 

Be proactive – before the nippy season is fully upon us, make an appointment to have your heating system checked and serviced if needed. 

Although the National Institute on Aging recommends setting the thermostat at 68 degrees during winter months, most seniors I know would feel cold at that setting. On the other hand, caregivers who are exerting a lot of energy, especially when providing care for their recipient, may get warm rather quickly. Rather than constantly adjusting the thermostat, a sensible solution is to dress according to your needs. Layers of warm clothing will help your loved one stay cozy, while lightweight and comfortable cotton clothes can help you maintain a comfortable body temperature. 

Bath time can be especially challenging during cold weather; many recipients will want to skip a daily bath, which is permissible as long as good hygiene is maintained through “washing up” or sponge baths a few times a week. At least two baths (or showers) a week should be attempted. You might want to choose midday instead or early morning or evening. Make sure the bathroom is as warm as possible and if there is a heater, use it. Preheat the shower water and do not disrobe until the last minute – having your loved one wrapped in a warm robe to be removed just before will help maintain warmth. Drying with a warm towel (throw in the dryer for a few minutes) and replacing the robe as soon as possible after the bath will prevent too much body heat from escaping. Re-dress in layers as soon as possible. If your loved one is chilled (goose bumps and shivering are two signs the body is trying to get warm) assist to a comfortable chair and cover with a blanket or quilt. Consider heating a blanket in the dryer and use it to wrap you recipient, tucking it in around the shoulders and over and under the feet. Not that I enjoy hospital stays, but when they have been necessary, one of my most pleasant experiences has been having a warm blanket placed over me from neck to toe. So comforting!

Transferring from a chair to the bed at bedtime is another important time to consider maintaining warmth. Preheating the bed with a heating pad is one idea; just be sure to remove it once you put your recipient to bed to prevent burns. Using plush micro fleece sheets is my favorite suggestion. They are so warm and cozy and provide warmth without using too many blankets – which can feel heavy, especially on a frail person.

There has been much discussion about whether or not to use electric blankets; check with your doctor to see if there are any reasons this would not be a good idea. If you do use one, monitor it very closely.

When the temperature is below freezing, it’s probably better to stay inside unless absolutely necessary to go outside. If you must venture out, make sure all exposed areas of skin are covered to prevent heat loss. Inhaling cold air can be irritating to airways, even causing inflammation. Because cold air is also often dry, people with asthma, COPD or bronchitis are especially vulnerable to the possible effects, which may include coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. Using a scarf or face covering over the nose and mouth can help prevent these problems. Do not forget gloves and a head covering. Although the idea that most of our body heat escapes through our heads has been debunked by research, in order to keep warm in freezing weather it is best to cover all exposed areas of skin. 

If your loved one is used to spending time outside and balks at staying in, provide as much light as possible by opening curtains and using artificial lights. Elevate the mood through music, special activities and extra attention.

During extremely cold spells – and especially if there is heat failure or a power loss – caregivers should attempt to find a safe, warm place to stay until heat is restored. Until that is possible, vigilantly check for signs of hypothermia. These include a weak pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, slurred speech and sleepiness. If these symptoms occur, take your loved one’s temperature. A body temperature of 96 degrees or below requires calling 911. 

Maintaining a nutritious diet, exercising when possible and encouraging good sleep habits all contribute to being able to weather the weather – no pun intended. Heated car seats optional (but oh, so nice!)