Research on Lifestyle and Bedroom Thermal Environment of the Frail Elderly in Winter

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine actual bedroom thermal environment and lifestyle of the flail elderly in winter. The participants were 9 frail elderly (aged 79.1 ± 6.1 years). We measured activity levels during the daytime and body movement during sleep. Air temperature and relative humidity were measured in the participants’ bedrooms. Approximately 80% of the participants had turned off heating devices such as air conditioners and stoves before going to bed. Some participants used only hot water bottles and electric blankets during sleep to warm up their bed. Therefore, the temperature and humidity in the bedroom tend to be lower than the recommended standard bedroom climate conditions for a healthy life (18-22°C, 30-50%: the criteria of thermal environment in house by workshop of thermal environment for elderly life in 1991). The number of wake after sleep onset and the wake rate during sleep increased as the bedroom temperature decreased. It suggests that low bedroom temperature may lead to decline in the quality of sleep. Furthermore, the participants went to bathroom feeling cold at night. It’s important to eliminate the temperature difference in the house to prevent heat shock.