National Study Shows 19 Percent of Seniors May Be at Risk of Hypothermia

NEW YORK, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Even though a moderate winter has been forecasted for the U.S., 19 percent of seniors nationwide may be at risk of hypothermia due to the temperature in their residence dropping below 61 degrees Fahrenheit, according to a national study conducted by Living Independently Group, Inc., creators of QuietCare(R). This study utilizes comparative data from QuietCare, a life-changing system that provides today's growing number of baby boomers caring for an aging relative with peace of mind and less stress by enabling them to log on and see how their loved one is doing, whether a mile or an ocean apart.

QuietCare is the only system to monitor home temperatures, and uses small wireless sensors -- not cameras or microphones -- to detect patterns of daily activity 24 hours a day. When temperatures trend too hot or cold or atypical activity patterns occur, including a lull in activity which may be an early indicator of the negative impact cool home temperatures are having on a senior's health, QuietCare automatically sends emergency alerts to caregivers. According to the National Institute on Aging, continuous exposure to a constant temperature of 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit can cause hypothermia, which occurs when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit -- potentially causing many health problems such as heart attack, kidney problems, liver damage, or worse.

"Winter can be a dangerous time for seniors who naturally produce less body heat due to normal age-related changes in thermoregulation, slower metabolism, and a lower level of physical activity," said Dr. Robert Roush, Director of the Texas Consortium Geriatric Education Center at the Baylor College of Medicine, and a member of Living Independently Group's Medical Advisory Board. "Some elderly people may not remember to keep their homes heated properly or they may be too poor to pay their heating bills. But it doesn't take extremely low temperatures for an elder to be at risk of hypothermia, which can result in affecting an older person's ability to think clearly and move well."

Study Design and Findings

During December 2005 and May 2006, 100 elderly users of the QuietCare system, in either private homes or assisted living facilities (with individual room temperature controls) across the United States, were monitored. More than 40,000 temperature readings were taken four times a day -- 12:00 AM, 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 6:00 PM.

The average senior tended to keep his/her residence warm all year round; in December 2005, the average temperatures of a female and male residence were 74.8 degrees Fahrenheit and 74.4 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. In May 2006, the average temperatures of a female and male residence were 77.0 and 76.7 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Approximately 19 percent of the seniors in the study had incidences of household temperature at or below 61 degrees during the study period. Additionally, on average, the 6:00 a.m. reading was found to be the coolest time while the 6:00 p.m. reading was found to be the warmest time in the elder's home.

To prevent hypothermia, people over age 65 should take the following precautions during cold weather:

  * Seniors and caregivers should stay in touch regularly during the winter
    and check the thermostat daily if it is very cold.

  * Have seniors' homes properly insulated.

  * Keep seniors' living areas warm (above 65 degrees F, or 18.3 degrees
    C).

  * Seniors should wear layers of warm clothing to help keep body
    temperature even.

  * If seniors have trouble keeping warm, cover their head and neck, even
    indoors.

  * Be sure to have and use enough warm blankets on hand for the senior.

  * Keep a supply of nutritious food on hand that the senior or caregiver
    can prepare easily.

  * Seniors should eat hot meals and drink warm liquids throughout the day.

  * Arrange for "meals on wheels" if seniors are unable to cook.

  * Avoid alcoholic beverages.

  * Check with their doctor to see if any medication the senior takes
    regularly might increase their risk of hypothermia. (Drugs that reduce
    the body's ability to respond to cold include tranquilizers,
    cardiovascular drugs, sedatives, and antidepressants.)

  * Take seniors' temperature occasionally.

QuietCare enables seniors to live safely and independently in their own residences. QuietCare monitors when seniors awaken or go to sleep, prepare meals or take medications. The system remotely identifies potential medical emergencies, such as possible bathroom falls, and automatically alerts caregivers to these situations, thereby permitting them to provide early intervention.

About Living Independently Group, Inc. and QuietCare

Living Independently Group, Inc. is leading the field of eldercare by providing technologies and services that enable seniors to live safely and independently in their own residences. Its patented behavioral monitoring system, QuietCare(R), reports activities of daily living, reducing stress on family members and improving the quality and effectiveness of professional caregiving. QuietCare is currently used in private homes, leading assisted living centers and senior communities in the U.S., Canada and in the United Kingdom. Additional information is available at http://www.quietcare.com/ or 1-866-216-4600.

  Contact:
  Tara Chiarell
  Allison & Partners
  212-302-5460 x9
  tara@allisonpr.com