Three Winter Dangers That Seniors Shouldn't Overlook
Boy, did she wallop us...
Winter Storm Fern got multiple hits in on more than half of the U.S.
Heavy snow, ice, biting cold... pretty much the kind of weather that makes even the toughest Northerners rethink their life choices.
I'm sure you know the usual winter advice... Drive carefully... Watch for ice... Don't overexert yourself shoveling...
All solid tips.
But for seniors, winter's biggest dangers don't always come from taking a tumble on slick surfaces. Rather, they can originate right inside one's house... and even in the body. So today, I want to list a few dangers to watch for with your elderly loved ones, especially during long cold snaps like this one...
Danger No. 1: An unreliable internal thermostat.
It's all too easy to start shivering in this kind of bone-chilling cold, sure. But maybe not if you're older.
Shivering is your body's defense mechanism against hypothermia. When confronted with the cold, your body releases chemical messengers like norepinephrine that tell your muscles to repeatedly contract and relax to start generating heat. Blood vessels also contract to prevent further heat loss.
But as we age, our ability to detect and respond to the cold wanes. It becomes harder for the body to react to the cold in the form of shivering and constricting blood vessels. So frugal-minded older folks who keep the house on the slightly cooler side – like 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit – are at risk of hypothermia.
I recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit at the bare minimum. Otherwise, your core body temperature can start slipping, resulting in symptoms like confusion, clumsiness, heart strain, plus an ambulance ride that you may not have budgeted for.
If you absolutely must save on heating bills, well, long johns aren't just for venturing outside... Wear base layers under your clothes if you're feeling a chill. Topping it off with a warm cap, socks, and slippers improves thermoregulation, too.
And speaking of bundling up, do it even if you're running a quick errand outside like going to the mailbox. You don't want to be without a coat if an accident that leaves you immobile were to happen.
Danger No. 2: A sneaky way to become dehydrated.
Sure, your warm and cozy home might keep hypothermia at bay. But it can be a double-edged sword that dehydrates you.
Cold, winter air doesn't have much moisture. And your heating system doesn't add moisture to the air, either. So it becomes all too easy for the moisture in your body to start evaporating.
The end result? Dried out skin on the outside and on the inside of your nose and throat. Add in the fact that our ability to feel thirsty naturally declines with age, and presto: dehydration.
It isn't just about dry mouth and dark urine. Dehydration can lead to dizziness and confusion – skyrocketing your risk of falling and seriously injuring yourself. Plus, both cold exposure and dehydration make your blood thicker. And that puts you at risk of blood clots and stroke... undoing the work of any blood thinners you might be taking, too.
Keep an eye on your pee – if it smells and/or is darker than a light straw color, that means you should up your fluid intake. Don't forget that caffeine in your coffee or afternoon tea is a diuretic, too. If you're having trouble remembering to drink enough water, set a reminder on your phone or keep a mug nearby as a visual reminder.
Danger No. 3: A winter guest you didn't invite.
Finally, don't forget about carbon monoxide. It's most active in winter, especially with our homes sealed tight and heaters working overtime.
Unlike natural gas – which has that lovely rotten-egg smell added by providers as a safety measure – carbon monoxide has zero smell. What also makes carbon monoxide poisoning so sneaky is that the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headache, nausea, fatigue, confusion – can easily be mistaken for those of a cold or flu.
What's more, the elderly are especially vulnerable. The mental signs can get waved off as just cognitive decline or dementia. And it becomes harder for the body to recover from a lack of oxygen as carbon monoxide works by booting and taking the place of oxygen molecules in the blood.
If you notice those sudden flu-like symptoms that seem to get better when you step outside or, worse, see similar symptoms in your pet (along with bright-red gums), get everyone outside and call 911 right away.
And to avoid this kind of potential tragedy, make sure to have battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors installed on every level of your home. And in the event of a power outage, never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home, no matter how tempting.
Share with us your favorite tips for staying safe this winter: feedback@healthandwealthbulletin.com.
P.S. One winter risk we didn't spend much time on is seasonal depression... Shorter days, less sunlight, and being stuck indoors can all too easily drag down your mood, motivation, and even physical health.
Well, it just so happens that we recently published an issue on my top 12 ways to boost your feel-good hormones – even in minutes. And these tips will work whether it's January or July. Start your Retirement Millionaire subscription here today.
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Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
January 27, 2026