A new groundbreaking study highlights the importance of maintaining a specific temperature range in homes to protect the cognitive ability of older adults. Researchers found that seniors had the least attention difficulties when home temperatures are kept between 68- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit.
According to Neuroscience News, deviations beyond this range doubled the risk of attention lapses, especially for seniors in low-income housing who can’t afford to heat or cool their homes efficiently. The results illustrate the need to provide proper, climate-resistant housing for the elderly to prevent cognitive decline.
Researchers at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, the research arm of Hebrew SeniorLife affiliated with Harvard Medical School, conducted the year-long study that monitored 47 adults aged 65 and older who lived in community housing, says Study Finds.
They tracked both home temperatures and the self-reported ability to maintain attention throughout the day over the course of a year. When the temperature stayed between 68 and 75 degrees, the seniors had no difficulty paying attention to their daily tasks.
While both hot and cold conditions outside this range impaired attention, participants seemed particularly sensitive to cold temperatures. The scientists speculated that cooler temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which could limit blood flow to the brain. Cooler temperatures may also cause the body cells to work harder as they try to maintain the correct temperature. Since cells become less efficient with age, there is less energy available for brain cells, adds the Daily Mail. If the temperature is too hot, it can cause excess sweating and dehydration that may damage the brain.
The results, published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, point to the need for maintaining adequate heating and cooling in residences not only to ensure physical comfort for adults during the summer and winter months, but also to preserve cognitive function.
“Our findings underscore the importance of understanding how environmental factors, like indoor temperature, impact cognitive health in aging populations,” said lead author Amir Baniassadi, Ph.D., an assistant scientist at the Marcus Institute. “This research highlights the need for public health interventions and housing policies that prioritize climate resilience for older adults. As global temperatures rise, ensuring access to temperature-controlled environments will be crucial for protecting their cognitive well-being.”
Possible solutions to this problem include adding smart home technologies to ensure the optimal temperature in homes, improving energy efficiency and expanding access to cooling resources when needed.