How Home Temperature Affects Cognitive Function in Older Adults

New research has revealed that home temperature is linked to cognitive function in older adults. However, many older adults face barriers that make adjusting indoor temperatures more challenging than simply tinkering with the thermostat.  

Addressing this will become even more critical as the population of older adults grows and billions of people live in cities and climates increasingly vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

Bridging the research gap between home temperature and cognition

While studies linking temperature and cognitive function date back to the 1970s, research focusing on older adults is limited. Additionally, previous studies tended to take place in lab settings. Laboratory settings offer value, but people don’t live in labs! I wanted to know how temperature variations in people’s homes could affect their cognition.

As an assistant scientist at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, I am interested in studying the environmental impacts on the health and well-being of older adults. For example, I discovered in previous research that the optimal temperature for sleep quality in older adults is between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why the research gap between home temperature and cognitive function stood out.

I decided to conduct a longitudinal observational study, which means following a group of participants over a long period. Over 12 months, I and other researchers monitored the home temperature and self-reported attention difficulties of 47 older adults. We continuously measured their home air temperatures and relative humidity using indoor smart sensors and had them complete surveys twice a day. The surveys asked about the participants’ perception of temperature and whether it was difficult to keep their attention on what they were doing.

If your body has to work harder to maintain its temperature, the brain has fewer resources available to dedicate to higher-level functioning. As a result, paying attention becomes more difficult.

Older adults reported maintaining their attention best when home temperatures are between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Notably, the likelihood of attention difficulties doubled for every 7-degree deviation from this range.

Of course, individuals have their own narrower range of ideal temperatures. While 68 degrees may feel too cold for one person, 75 degrees may feel uncomfortably warm for another. Generally speaking, though, our participants could better focus within that temperature range. Outside this range, the correlation between attention difficulties and temperature becomes much stronger.

What surprised me was how often people’s homes fell outside this temperature range. Even though all of our participants had air conditioning, heating systems, and a way to control their home’s temperature, their homes fell outside of that ideal range nearly 20% of the time! This is interesting because it shows that even with the resources and infrastructure needed to control their environment’s temperature, older people may still have difficulty doing that. That doesn’t even consider those who can’t control their temperature due to the cost of A/C or heat, poor quality of housing, power outages, weather, or other structural challenges entirely outside their control. 

Why are older adults more sensitive to temperature changes? 

As we age, it can become more difficult for our bodies to maintain their temperature. This can be due to age-related physiological changes, chronic health conditions, the effects of certain medications that older adults often take, or a combination of those factors.  

Aging decreases our ability to perceive heat, making it more challenging to realize when we’re overheating. Age-related changes in bodily processes can also affect the sensation of thirst. These changes can lead to dehydration in older adults, which is especially dangerous in warm conditions.

Certain chronic health conditions also make it tougher to adapt to changes in temperature, and some of these conditions are more likely to affect older adults. For example, Parkinson’s disease, which has an average age of diagnosis of 60, can impair temperature regulation. Type 2 diabetes can decrease sweat gland density, reducing sweat and making it harder for the body to cool down.

Some classes of medications commonly used by older adults, such as beta-blockers, diuretics, and antihistamines, can affect how the body perceives temperature. As a result, those with chronic conditions and taking these types of medications can be at greater risk when temperatures dip or rise. 

How do we address the link between home temperature and cognitive functioning? 

When addressing the link between home temperature and cognitive health, we can consider different levels of resources and support. 

Behavioral adaptations 

If your house becomes too warm or cold, you can take immediate measures to become more comfortable.

If you feel uncomfortably cold, you can: 

• Bundle up in layers of clothing.
• Wear a hat.
• Use an electric blanket.
• Have a warm drink or cup of soup.
• Take a hot shower.
• Open blinds during the day to let sunlight in.

If you feel uncomfortably warm, you can: 

• Take a cold shower.
• Drink a cup of ice water.
• Close your blinds during the day to keep sunlight out.
• Use fans.
• Remove layers of clothing.

For some, “self-adapting” can be tricky. We also need to consider bigger-picture solutions on the community or societal level. 

Community support 

Our research showed that even when adults have the means to cool and heat their homes, they can find it difficult to keep their homes safe and comfortable. When physical or financial limitations, cognitive decline, or other barriers are involved, older adults may need extra assistance keeping their homes at an ideal temperature. If that’s the case, family, caregivers, or community resources could make a difference with personalized interventions or support to ensure their temperature is monitored.

Technological advances 

One of the areas that I’m working on as a researcher is the advancement of technology. Thermostats that leverage artificial intelligence have the potential to automate temperature control, which could significantly improve the quality of life for those with difficulty managing temperature independently.  

Policy changes 

On a policy level, it’s vital to ensure that older adults have the means to control their home temperature. That means supporting and advocating for energy efficiency and resiliency in buildings and sound infrastructure in the face of rising temperatures.

As cities become more crowded, vital greenery that helps cool the environment is being replaced by heat-retaining materials like asphalt and concrete. Climate change and other factors are also contributing to rising temperatures.

By fostering climate and heat resilience, we will be better prepared to face the health challenges that can arise from exposure to extreme temperatures, especially as the population of older adults — and older adults experiencing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline — grows.

Exploring senior living options in Greater Boston?

Hebrew SeniorLife offers a variety of senior living communities in the Boston area for people of all income levels and abilities, including independent living, supportive senior living, assisted living, and long-term chronic care. Our communities are actively engaged in building climate resiliency through sustainability efforts and ensuring comfortable air temperatures all year round. 

If you’re interested in learning more, we’re here to help you make the right decision. Find a community or service online today to get started. 

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