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My dad is 88 years old and lives alone. He has some trouble getting around because of two compression fractures. Mentally he seems very lucid. We talk sports, politics, etc. However, the one thing he is fixated on is his thermastat. He calls my younger brother 12 times a day to say his furnace is not working and can he come check the thermastat. My dad gets cold but only wears shorts and a short sleeve shirt, even in winter. He has nice sweat pants and sweat shirts, as well as jeans, khakis, etc. but does not want to wear them. I asked my dad if it is painful to wear these heavier items and he says no. When my brother goes to his house to check the furnace, everything is fine. The temperature reads 84 degrees. It is very warm in his home. Even after my brother visits and gives him a positive report, my dad may call a few hours later and tell him something is wrong with the thermastat. We are not sure what to do.

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I would begin to question the 'very lucid' statement if your 88 y/o father is getting very cold but still insisting on wearing shorts and short sleeve clothing then calling 12x a day to say his furnace isn't working properly. That sounds like cognitive impairment to me, and if not, attention seeking at the very least. A full medical work up is definitely in order here, including a cognitive exam at this point, especially if he continues to refuse to dress appropriately for the winter months.

Good luck!
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Fitz1Jarboe May 2021
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Replace the thermostat if you think that will satisfy Dad's fixation. Make sure it is a thermostat that is easy to use, none of this fancy timing stuff that can get too complicated. Give me the old fashioned roll dial :)
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Fitz1Jarboe May 2021
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If you know for a fact that there's nothing wrong with the thermostat, I'd tell him a therapeutic fib, that you just checked it with your smart phone and everything is fine, or that you called the furnace people and they did a remote diagnostic and says its fine, just wait for it to kick in. My mom's sort of the same way, very paranoid because we live in a very northern state and is very worried about her water pipes freezing. I think our LOs fixate when they feel too cold or too hot and no longer understand that they need to adjust or wait for the furnace to come back on. They don't like feeling uncomfortable. I would not replace the thermostat if your dad is having some short-term memory or cognitive issues, which seems likely based on your description of him calling back just a few hours after you've addressed his concerns. It's your dad I would get checked, not the thermostat. I wish you all the best as you work to care for him.
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Fitz1Jarboe May 2021
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Spend $100 and have a HVAC tecnician come over and look at the furnace and thermostat in your dad's presence. One of the other family members should be there also. Check with the local BBB to make sure you hire a reputable company. You can also go to the company's website to look at any reviews.
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Fitz1Jarboe May 2021
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The old do feel the cold easier. The older generation calls it "thin blood"😊.

I think 84 is a little too much. I also think that Dad needs to be evaluated for a Dementia. Being fixated like this is a sign. Maybe someone should spend a few days with him. Does he get a little confused in late afternoon/evening. Or, he could have a tyroid problem. A good check up and lab work could rule out any physical problems.
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I see another angle:  he's alone, elderly, dependent on his family.  If his furnace had malfunctioned or stopped working during a freeze, he could easily get so cold that he could become hypothermic, although it depends on his location, if and/or how well the house is insulated, and other factors.

I also agree with FF; if his thermostat is one of those newer ones that require fiddling around to change preset temperatures, get one like FF suggests.    And buy a room temperature gauge as well; he can look at that more easily.   If you get a hygrometer, it'll also reflect the humidity level, something that we all need to consider during the winter when heating dries up the house.  

With a temp of 85, I'm thinking also that his skin is quite dry; that may be another reason he feels uncomfortable (if that is the issue).

Another thing I would do is evaluate his backup status.   If he won't wear appropriate winter clothing, will he use one of those fleece throw blankets?   I'm thinking that he thinks the thermostat may be malfunctioning b/c he's not properly dressed.   If not, could you get him a cuddle blanket to wrap up in?  

The fleece blankets provide more than warmth; the silkiness of their texture  is mentally soothing and comforting.  

Do you know why he doesn't dress appropriately during the winter?   My father wore insulated jeans, insulated flannel jackets, and I bought him some thick hunting socks.   Do you think your father would agree to wear something like that this would keep him warmer and diminish the concern over the thermostat, which I think is problematic for him primarily b'c he's not dressed for winter?

I hope you can find a solution; it's unsettling and personally troubling to be worried when you're all alone in your home, even if relatives are close.
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Fitz1Jarboe May 2021
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My dad was constantly cold! He wore a sweater or jacket inside. He always had the heat cranked up. That’s odd that he wears shorts and short sleeve shirt.
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