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I keep temp at 76 to 77 degrees; she wears warm clothes plus a sweater (night and day, even to bed) and sits with a throw on her during the day. She used to like cold milk, iced tea, ice cream, now she won't touch any cold food. She has a multitude of problems with her health, but I want to keep her warm and comfortable if I can. I know others have faced this situation. How did you resolve it?

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Just wondering if she has lost a lot of weight. Adipose tissue warms the body so perhaps in addition to the suggestions below you might try increasing her calorie intake.
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There are lots of battery operated heated clothes (socks, coats, gloves, etc) out there! At the very least, an electric blanket would be great. There’s also a lot of hearty soups with plenty of calories. My favorite is a Reames Noodle one on the bag. Those are thick egg noodles & I add cubed potatoes along with the other ingredients in the recipe. It feels very warm & nourishing to eat.
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Have you had her thyroid tested? Sounds like hypothyroidism
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OldArkie Apr 2023
Have not, but will mention to doctor next visit! TY
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Warm gloves for indoor and a hat should help.
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NeedHelpWithMom Apr 2023
And warm socks or slippers. If my feet are cold I can’t warm up.
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A snuggie is amazing when sitting in a chair. Its basically a blanket with sleeves. I take mine when we cruise north to Canada and Greenland to be able to sit out on the balcony.
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The skin on my entire back was chronically burned from laying on the lowest setting of a heating pad to treat bone cancer pain that responded to nothing but heat. My son bought me a heated padded vest from Amazon that's battery powered and rechargeable. It's worn over a shirt so there's no risk of getting burned. That puppy helped me more than anything and can be added to your wife's outfit quite easily. There are 3 heat settings on the vest, according to needs.

https://www.amazon.com/Foiueyga-Men%EF%BC%8CHeated-Included-Electric-Lightweight/dp/B0B59CS97N/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?crid=1DKKAPAVI6AV5&keywords=heated+rechargeable+vest&qid=1680348445&sprefix=Heated+rech%2Caps%2C257&sr=8-14-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyRllCN0syRFVRUjVTJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDYxMjI2SVdLMkJFTlZCSERPJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4ODY3ODkyUzFYSE5EWEEwVlZKJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Individual hand warmers which are also rechargeable are great for keeping in pockets. They are small and look like a little plastic computer mouse.

https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Electric-Reusable-Handwarmers-Christmas/dp/B0BF56MPT5/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?crid=2M0AQR2MMQ66I&keywords=heated%2Brechargeable%2Bhand%2Bwarmers&qid=1680348712&sprefix=heated%2Brechargeable%2Bhand%2Bwarmers%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-4-spons&smid=AEV7X0DGVZSP9&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzVkZCRTM0RVkwMDNLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTc5MDQ3MVdRS1hJTjZEWjkwNCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjA1MTYyVE1TUTJUSjhLMUNVJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1
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OldArkie Apr 2023
I will check out the vest. I doubt she would keep the hand warmers long enough to help before she lost them. TY for the suggestion.
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OldArkie: A thyroid check may be in order IF your DW can endure a blood draw for TSH levels.
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I’d get her a big body pillow that she can cuddle up to when in bed - get a thick soft fluffy cover to put on it. You can find both fairly inexpensive on Amazon. This will help keep her warm and give her a sense of security. My mom passed at 72 with vascular dementia just a couple years ago. It was soothing to her to have something to cuddle.
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OldArkie Apr 2023
Tried the pillow.She is up and down so much she lost the pillow every time she got up...and she sleeps on a wedge to prevent gerd!
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A nice winter scarf around the neck also helps. Don’t forget gloves
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michelle7728 Apr 2023
YES! A nice thick fleece scarf and fleece hat, should do the trick. It is the best I've found for holding heat in, and as most of your body heat escapes from your head they are very effective. I can't handle anything over 70-72 degrees inside in the winter.
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We were made aware that there was a chance that electric blankets could burn the elderly's thin skin. So we never used them.
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OldArkie Apr 2023
We use heated mattress pad which helps when in bed but problem is when sitting in her recliner!
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we use layers and layers of blankets and throws. Even thought of making her a "nose warmer", which made her laugh. She does eventually warm up after a few words of delirium and half hour of freezing. All her vitals are normal during this "cold" period. We just make her as comfortable as we can for the moment that MOM is in. It changes quickly. We go with the flow.
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OldArkie Apr 2023
I know some is mental, but she is actually cold to the touch!
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https://snuggables.net/collections/microwavable-warming-blankets

you can also find microwaveable slippers online

i have thyroid issues and find that if my feet are warm the rest if my bidy is as well
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https://www.sleepseeker.co.uk/blog/can-electric-blankets-catch-fire
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AlvaDeer Mar 2023
Have to count me as one who had an electric blanket catch fire, albeit three decades ago. It was one I was using on the back porch in the bed of a cat who wouldn't come inside the house. Almost lost my place for a stray. Luckily I smelled it when exiting the kitchen to the back porch,

I have also heard of a few burns in elders where they were actually laying on the coils.

I think I would go with silk long underwear before an electric blanket.
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Flannel pajamas, heavy robe and UGG boots/shoes. Then turn the heat down.
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Put the blanket in the dryer to warm up before placing it on your loved one.
Can easily put most clothing and blankets in the dryer- even towels for when getting out of the shower.
granted- the warmth from the dryer quickly recedes, but your loved one will love the initial warmth.
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OldArkie Apr 2023
Great idea... thanks!
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My solution was an electric blanket that I put over my mother when she was up and sitting in her chair.

The brand I bought is UGG and it's absolutely luscious. Soft, very thick, machine washable and doesn't get crazy hot.
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Just a thought, have her Thyroid checked. It controls body temps.
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They make elec throws and blankets. But the best way is exercise.
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michelle7728 Apr 2023
Agreed! I bought my mom the tall version of the Concept 2 rowing machine. She's 86 and has never been super active, but she does get on that for 15-20 minutes twice a day. It's great for keeping motion in the joints, without needing to get on a treadmill or elliptical where they might fall. Here 98 year old friend would get on it for up to 45 minutes at a time (I was amazed....). We're not talking power rowing here, but at least it kept him moving.

There are videos on line that give the proper technique, and that is important, as once bad habits are learned, it's hard to unlearn them.
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Microwave heatable rice packs. They provide a 'moist' heat for hours once warmed in the microwave. (They can get very hot, so experiment on yourself first to see what amount of time gives the right warmth. I start out with 90 seconds). When it cools, simply pop it back in the microwave for another 'charge'. You would need to find someone that can sew, but they are easy to make. I've made numerous ones for friends and family. Simply sew a pocket to hold the rice...either in a tube shape or a small pillow, fill with white rice from the grocery store. The ones I have made are about 18" long and 4 inches wide for use around your neck. The tube should be filled so that it is flexible enough to lay flat and conform to your neck. I use muslin to make the casing. Then I make a removable covering that can be washed. I secure the ends with velcro. Rice packs seem to last a long time. I have one that I have used for several years. Simply place it on her lap when she's sitting...then cover her with a lap blanket. She will stay toasty for an hour or longer. Good luck.
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OldArkie Apr 2023
Great idea. TY
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There is a brand of under garments tees, long underwear called " cuddl duds". They are designed for winter weather.
They are heavenly and may make a huge difference for her.

A hat keeps the body warmer if you can get get her to wear a little knitted beanie.

I was put on two blood thinners last year and had a lot of trouble keeping warm through the winter.

Fingerless gloves?
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Oh my. My mom wears up to 5 layers. Some days 2 winter coats in her assisted living. I can wear a light sweater to visit. Lewy Body dementia includes temperature body issues. It is a tough problem. I have found no solution except a chair blanket…and learning to ignore all the layers. Be very careful of electric blankets..elderly are burned easily!!! An unsafe idea.
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Small electric throw
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My late husband was cold year round, and we live in NC where it's warm to hot 8 months out of the year. He would wear either flannel pajama pants or sweat pants, along with a sweatshirt hoodie all year long, with the hood up around his head of course.
When he was able to sit in the recliner, I would put a heated throw over him, and when he became bedridden, I just made sure that he had plenty of blankets on to keep him warm.
Because they say that heat escapes from our heads, perhaps try keeping a hoodie up over her head, or some kind of winter ski type hat on her head to keep the warmth in, along with the other things you're doing.
I wish you the best in keeping her warm.
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What about serving hot tea and warm milk instead of cold drinks?

I like MJ’s idea of heating pads. Just don’t crank it up to the highest level. Place it on low to see if it helps her.
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OldArkie Apr 2023
She drinks several cups warm coffee a day and milk at room temp! :-)
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My mother was also always cold. The heat was set to 80°...in August...in Southern California! How my dad didn't die from being cooked alive I'll never know.

I've found that the best way to warm up is to have something warm between my thighs (a heating pad or hot water bottle) or on my lower stomach. When I lived in snow country, I'd buy those self-heating stick-on pads for muscle pain and put one on my lower abdomen or inner thigh. Those lasted 12 hours and were lifesavers.

Check with her doctor before employing any of those treatments, though, because older skin could be more sensitive to burns.
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OldArkie Apr 2023
I'll try the pads. Her skin is very tender and tears easily so I have to take care!
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This is the case for my partner, 82. He is always cold. Step one of course is your basic blood panel; you don't want to learn too late that you are dealing with thyroid problems or other issues that can be addressed medically. After that there are several things to consider.

Those who are more cold are often less active. Activity does indeed WARM THE BLOOD so to speak.
Those who are more cold often lack a body fat layer. Yup, our fat keeps us warm. That's why, in the Donner Party, the survivors were mostly women, who have a better fat pad overall.

In daily life and for comfort a knit cap keeps body heat in and long underwear is the oldy but goodie for body warmth.

Wish you the best. First stop is the MD office.
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OldArkie Apr 2023
All good advice and well taken. TY
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