The temperature is dropping colder at night. The chill can be felt through your coat as you wrap your arms around yourself to keep warm. You bundle up just to run out to the mailbox. Winter can be an inconvenience or a nuisance for those who dislike cold weather. But for the elderly, cold weather can be a serious health hazard.
As we get older, our bodies become less efficient at regulating our body temperature. This puts many seniors, especially those over the age of 75, at risk of hypothermia. And getting hypothermia doesn’t necessarily mean they are outside for long periods of time, but it can happen within their own homes. Hypothermia is a dramatic drop in body temperature. Normal body temperature averages 98.6 degrees, while hypothermia is when the core body temperature drops below 95 degrees. If you suspect your loved one has hypothermia, they must get immediate care.
Of course, the obvious answer is to keep their home warm. Check that their house is well-insulated and never let the thermostat dip below 65 degrees. Talk to their physician to see if their health, medical conditions, or medications are putting them at greater risk of hypothermia. Keep plenty of warm blankets handy and sweaters within an arm’s reach. If they have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, double-check their wood supply.
When outdoors, encourage your loved one to bundle up in proper attire to protect them from the cold, moisture, and wind using multiple layers of clothing. We suggest they wear a warm hat since large amounts of body heat can escape through your head. Consider getting them a holiday gift of wool socks, hats, gloves, scarf, and thermal base layers for under their clothing to keep them extra warm and comfortable. During these cold months, it’s not advised for the elderly to work outside for long periods of time. Offer to help with yard work or hire help during the winter to assist them.
Many of us would not think twice about hypothermia on a 60-degree day. But for our older loved ones, they are at risk of hypothermia. On a day that you might not even wear a coat, they could be in danger.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.