{"id":5286,"date":"2025-01-13T17:44:56","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T17:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.comfortkeepers.ca\/northandwestvancouver\/blog\/winter-health-risks-for-seniors\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T18:12:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T18:12:40","slug":"winter-health-risks-for-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.comfortkeepers.ca\/northandwestvancouver\/blog\/winter-health-risks-for-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Health Risks for Seniors Living in British Columbia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Seniors<\/figure>\n\n\n

What Every Senior in North Vancouver and West Vancouver Needs to Know About Winter Health Risks<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Winter Health Risks for Seniors<\/strong> | When the temperature drops, older adults run a higher risk of health problems and injuries related to the weather. It\u2019s important that they, and those who care for them, take certain precautions at this time of year.<\/p>\n

Winter Health Risks – Health Hazards to Avoid:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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  1. Hypothermia<\/strong> means the body has a temperature that has fallen below 95 degrees (35\u00b0 C) and can’t produce enough energy to stay warm enough. The elderly are at special risk because they may have limited ability to communicate, impaired mobility, less subcutaneous fat, and a diminished ability to sense temperature. Symptoms of hypothermia include;<\/strong><\/em> shivering, cold skin that is pale or ashy, lack of coordination, mental confusion, slowed reactions, breathing or heart rate, weakness, and sleepiness. Do not rely on shivering alone as a warning sign, since seniors tend to shiver less or not at all as their body temperature drops. Call 911 if you think someone has hypothermia.<\/li>\n
  2. Frostbite <\/strong>can cause damage to the skin and progress to the bone. It usually affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. Frostbite can even result in the loss of limbs. Seniors with heart disease and other circulation problems are at risk. Prevention includes covering up all parts of the body when going outside. If the skin turns red, dark, or starts to hurt it\u2019s time to go inside right away. Symptoms of frostbite include;<\/strong><\/em> skin that\u2019s white, ashy, or grayish-yellow; feels hard or waxy; or is numb. If frostbite occurs, place frostbitten parts of the body in warm (not hot) water, and call for medical help immediately. A person with frostbite may also have hypothermia, so check for those symptoms, too.<\/li>\n
  3. Heart attacks<\/strong> and high blood pressure<\/strong> are more common in winter because cold snaps increase blood pressure and strain on the heart. The heart has to work harder to maintain body heat, while falling temperatures may cause an unhealthy rise in high blood pressure<\/a> \u2500 especially in seniors. In winter, blood pressure increases are seen in both the systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) numbers. Possible explanations<\/strong><\/em> of the cold weather effect include activation of the sympathetic nervous system<\/a> which helps control how the body responds to stress, and release of the hormone catecholamine, which may increase blood pressure by speeding the heart rate<\/a> and decreasing the responsiveness of blood vessels.<\/li>\n
  4. Painful joints<\/strong> occur more often in winter, though it’s not clear why this is the case. While many people with arthritis<\/a> say their joints become more painful and stiff, there is no evidence that weather changes cause joint damage. Mild daily exercise can help, and many seniors rely on indoor swimming sessions during the winter months because swimming is easy on the joints.<\/li>\n
  5. Winter depression<\/strong> is common among seniors, and this can make them perceive pain more acutely. Everything feels worse, including medical conditions. Vitamin D can help. Encourage seniors to consume foods fortified with Vitamin D, such as milk, grains, and seafood like tuna and salmon.<\/li>\n
  6. Lung spasms<\/strong> can occur in seniors with respiratory conditions, including asthma and COPD. Seniors are particularly sensitive to cold air, which can trigger these spasms. Suggest using face or \u201cski\u201d masks from an outdoor or sporting goods store to use their breath to warm the air before it enters the lungs.<\/li>\n
  7. Influenza<\/strong> can result in pneumonia in seniors. Flu vaccines, while not always effective in preventing illness, can reduce the severity of the symptoms and protect against complications.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Flu vaccines are strongly recommended for persons 65+ years old and those who suffer from chronic health problems such as heart disease, respiratory problems, renal disease, diabetes, anemia, or any disease that weakens the body’s immune system.<\/p>\n

    Persons allergic to eggs or who have a high fever, however, should avoid or postpone getting a flu shot. Because the influenza vaccine is only effective for one year and viruses vary annually, it is necessary to get a flu shot every year. Do so early, since it takes about two weeks to develop full immunity. However, even a shot in January may protect against a late winter outbreak.<\/p>\n

    Tips for Avoid Winter Health Risks for Seniors:<\/strong><\/h2>\n