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Prep for Success- OLDER ADULT THERMOREGULATION
Thermoregulation is a complex adaptive response that involves many internal and
external influences. Internal conditions that affect thermoregulation include metabolic
rate, pathologic processes, muscle activity, peripheral blood flow, amount of
subcutaneous fat, central nervous system function, the temperature of the blood flowing
through the hypothalamus, and effects of medications and other bioactive substances.
External influences on thermoregulation include environmental temperature, humidity
level, airflow, and the type and amount of clothing and covering used.
What part of the brain regulates core body temperature? Hypothalamus
List AGE-RELATED changes that interfere with an older adult’s ability to respond to
COLD temperatures: (p.525)
1. Inefficient vasocontraction
2. Decreased cardiac output
3. Deceased muscle mass
4. Diminished peripheral circulation
5. Deceased subcutaneous tissue
6. Delayed
7. And diminished shivering
In SUM, the overall effect (functional consequences) are (p.526)
1. Dulled perception of cold
2. and concomitant lack of stimulus to initiate protective actions such as adding
more clothing or raising the environmental temperature.
List 5 AGE-RELATED changes that interfere with an older adult’s ability to respond to
heat stress:
1. Higher threshold for the onset of sweating
2. Diminished response when sweating occurs
3. Dulled sensation of warm environments
4. Renal and cardiovascular changes
