Is it normal for my mother to want a heavy blanket when the outside temperature reads sixty-four degrees? I tested her blood pressure and it was normal. She said she was feeling a bit dehydrated earlier and I had to give her more fruit juice and salt and water. She says she is feeling better and that she's fine.
I would want - perhaps not a heavy blanket, but definitely a cosy cardigan. 64 is barely above the minimum recommended for seniors.
Having said that, your mother might do better with something warm but lighter in actual weight; and above all draft-proof. I think it's the drafts that gets to seniors more than anything else.
Old people tend to be sedentary and have poor circulation, that makes them feel cold. My mom wears a turtleneck and a sweater when it's 62°.
I've been looking at some of your other posts and it's unclear how old your mother is and what kind of care she needs, you will get better advice if you tell us more.
Why do you think your mother is dying, does she have a terminal illness?
I sleep with the windows open year round, so your mom wouldn't like MY place.
Whenever I go to clean (not often, I admit) I open all the windows that aren't painted shut and get some fresh air circulating. She usually goes into the common LR as she cannot handle "drafts".
Mom dresses in layers and adds or subtracts sweaters and such as the day goes on. She barely moves during the day, and does get chilled, even with the outside temps approaching 90 and her AC not running.
Your mom is 44? And acts this way? This is usually an 'older person's' problem, to be sure.
Wondering as to the salt pills? Even though it's 'just salt' it does wreak havoc on the stomach & blood pressure.
I suspect it is bomifl who is 44. For whatever reason, I’ve noticed before that sometimes the caregivers age shows up on the bio in the wring space, instead of the one being cared for.
About your mom being cold. It takes a certain number of calories to heat the body. After that consideration, the inbuilt thermostat can malfunction. That being the thyroid. Too little and we get cold. Too much and we get hot. Have you looked at her recent blood work to see if her thyroid is borderline or off? The thyroid is very important for many body functions and very easy and inexpensive to treat if it is producing too much or too little.
Lack of exercise will cause one to feel more uncomfortable when there is a chill in the air. If she primarily sits, then clapping her hands, waving her arms, marching in place, tapping her toes, lifting her heels. Rolling her shoulders etc can get the warm blood flowing and warm her body.
Is this unusual for your mom to be cold? New behavior?
Give us a bit more info and you will get better answers.
Normal or a symptom of something wrong is sometimes subjective and can depend on many factors. if it’s unusual for her, then I would keep looking.
If the sun is out and the humidity is low then 64 would be a beautiful day to me.If it was cold last night and the house has held the coolness and she’s just been sitting, then yes, she might be cold. If you are going through menopause (a bit young at 44)and just vacuumed the house, then it might be blazing for you. Normal can be a very individual thing.
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