Cold weather turns from uncomfortable to risky much faster after 65, especially when nights grow long and damp. A chilly home quietly raises blood pressure, strains the heart and makes chest infections far more likely. As another harsh season settles in, experts urge older people to see their heating settings as part of daily self-care, not just comfort. Small adjustments to temperature can quietly guard against winter illnesses and support everyday independence.
Why cold snaps are so dangerous after 65
Households are being urged by the Met Office to get ready as numerous snow and ice warnings are in effect over a wide area. As much as 25 centimeters of snow could fall. Higher ground in Yorkshire, the Humber, and the North East is under an amber warning for snow, in place until 9 p.m. on Thursday. There are a number of yellow snow and ice warnings across the UK. These warnings inform drivers of the risk of difficult conditions and temperatures below zero.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber cold health alert in addition to these weather warnings. It affects Yorkshire, the Humber, North East England, and North West England and lasts until 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 22. When considered collectively, the warnings emphasize that this is not a normal cold snap, especially for the elderly and those who are already sick.
According to Met Office guidelines, cold air causes blood to thicken, blood pressure to rise, and the heart and lungs to work harder. The risk of chest infections and flare-ups of chronic illnesses is also increased by breathing icy air for extended periods of time. Advice now emphasizes keeping homes at a safe temperature. It also recommends using heating purposefully rather than sparingly because the body is already under stress after age 65.
How to set your heating for safer winter days and nights
There is specific winter guidance for those aged 65 or older or who have a reduced ability to be mobile. Indoors, a minimum safe temperature is 18°C, not just in one room, but as widely as possible in the house. Having living areas around this temperature is best for the body to fight off the negative effects of the cold on your health.
If you suffer from heart or lung disease, the most important factor is to ensure that your heating thermostat is switched on. It should be set to the recommended temperature or above. You may feel more comfortable in rooms marginally warmer than 18°C. They may also assist with your breathing and blood circulation. If you are under the age of 65, you may cope with slightly lower room temperatures. This is especially true if you are sufficiently active and wearing warm clothing when you are within your comfort zone.
In severely cold and snowy times, the recommendation states to keep a heater or thermostat set at a similar temperature. It should hold this temperature either daytime or nighttime each day, rather than cooling rooms down completely. For individuals aged 65 and older or who have a chronic illness, around 18 degrees Celsius is a safe indoor temperature. The room temperature for healthy individuals under 65 should be tolerable at or possibly just below the recommended normal levels. This is acceptable as long as your clothing or bedding provide you with adequate warmth.
Small home habits that lock in precious warmth
Simply setting the thermostat is only one piece of the puzzle; what you do as part of an everyday routine matters in terms of how much heat you’re keeping. Closing the curtains in the bedroom at night will help stop your heat from leaving and cold draughts getting into the rest of your house. Closing curtains in the evening will hold heated air in the room that is radiated from the radiators, and keep the cold air from cooling the air by the glass of the window, too.
The Met Office is very clear: bedroom windows should be closed at night when it’s cold outside. A room can be chilled and your sleep disturbed by even tiny openings that let in enough cold air. Simple tips to reduce the chill you love, like closing adjoining doors, or placing a rolled towel at the draughty threshold, can help.
When you’ve added steady heat with the steps we just covered, your spaces will stay warm without increasing the heat. There shouldn’t be a need to overheat the house. You want to keep temperature from dropping too quickly, as this will fatigue the body and mess with sleep. When these become habits, many older people find they can easily move about the home. They also find they can be more relaxed at night.
Why your heating is only one part of staying well
You don’t have to stay inside when it’s cold outside. In fact, on chilly days, exercise can help keep your body warm. According to the Met Office, a reliable source of information, try to stand up to move around once per hour, even for a few minutes, while watching TV. Light housework, stretching, or even just walking from one room to another will stimulate blood circulation, and relieve that chilling cold feeling.
Food and drink add a second level of warmth when it is cold outside. One hot meal a day, no matter how basic, gives your body fuel for generating warmth. Examples include soup, thick stew or a large bowl of pasta. Hot drinks, such as tea or herbal tea, consumed regularly throughout the day will warm your hands and throat. They will also help provide a cozy sense of being settled in.
The habits mentioned above supplement the wise use of heating rather than replace it. Heat from the inside, as well as outside the body, is beneficial. Together they will ultimately offset the risk of colds, flu and other big health problems. This is particularly important for older adults. Over time, this doesn’t feel as much like a set of inflexible rules. It feels more like caring for yourself gently on a daily basis.
Stepping outside safely when the air turns icy
Even during difficult travel conditions due to snow and ice, it may still be necessary to conduct certain errands in the outside world. This includes shopping, appointments or seeing family. Wearing the appropriate clothing can make those ventures more comfortable and reduce risk. This is especially important if you have difficulty breathing or are affected by osteoarthritis or joint stiffness and discomfort. Several layers of thinner clothing trap warm air more effectively than a single much heavier coat. They still allow for simple adjustments as you travel.
As part of their recommendations, NHS also discusses wearing a scarf, which acts as a loose face covering when the air is cold. Putting a scarf over your nose and mouth will warm the air slightly before you breathe it into your lungs. This can make breathing easier sometimes. A scarf can reduce the chance cold air will cause an asthma episode or a coughing episode when running outside in the cold.
Although your heating devices keep you warm and comfortable while indoors, your choice of clothing protects you away from home. The manner in which you organize your outdoor excursions also keeps you protected. When shorter journeys are immediately arranged, clearly defined, and executed with care, you limit physical stress. You will also limit the mental stress exerted upon your body while in extreme weather conditions. A little forward planning can make fresh air possible during winter without the expense of warmth, comfort or safety.
Simple everyday choices that make winter feel less harsh
All of these people include elderly people, people with reducing mobility and people with heart or lung disease. They experience additional strain when the temperature drops. However, current health advice suggests that a warm, consistent home and regular moving can greatly reduce these risks. A good diet, hot drinks and appropriate clothing also help. Treat indoor heating checks, cosy rooms, gentle activity and daily hot meals as a caring routine this winter. Harsh weather will feel more manageable and less frightening.
