Adjusting the thermostat could make a difference in how well brains work for the elderly.
In a year-long study published in The Journal Of Gerontology, researchers at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research tracked seniors home temperatures and how well they were able to focus.
They were able to determine the ideal temperature range, down to just a few degrees, in which the older adults were able to concentrate.
To find the optimum number, researchers monitored 47 adults over 65 living in community dwellings.
The team tracked participants’ home temperatures and sel f-reported concentration ability through twice-daily smartphone surveys. These surveys asked participants to rate their thermal comfort from “very cold” to “very hot” and to report whether they were experiencing difficulties focusing.
Results showed a clear relationship between attention span and temperature; focus was optimal within a specific range and declined markedly when home environments were too hot or cold.
The optimal range for cognitive functioning was shown to be between 68-75°F. When temperatures varied 7 degrees above or below this range, study participants were twice as likely to report difficulty focusing.
These results build upon earlier research, which revealed that sleep is most efficient and restful for older adults when nighttime ambient temperatures range from 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
While extremes in both heat and cold hindered participants’ ability to focus, the population proved more sensitive to cold temperatures. When participants reported feeling cold, they showed more significant cognitive impairment than when they felt hot, suggesting that heating may be critical in supporting brain health in senior populations during the winter months.
Researchers note that the relationship between climate and mental processing changes as we age and the body becomes less capable of regulating temperature. One reason is that fat insulates the body, and we lose it as we age; thus, older people are more likely to report feeling cold than younger folk.
While the group was relatively small, they were closely monitored. With an average age of 79, participants completed over 17,000 surveys during the study period. Most participants lived in private rather than subsidized housing, indicating they had some control over the temperature of their home environments.
Still, even among this relatively advantaged population, the cognitive impacts of temperature variation were felt, suggesting more compromised communities are at even greater risk.
Researchers are increasingly concerned that seniors living on fixed incomes may struggle to sustain the aforementioned temperature sweet spot for cognitive functioning, particularly during heat waves or extreme cold.
“Our findings underscore the importance of understanding how environmental factors, like indoor temperature, impact cognitive health in aging populations,” said lead author Dr. Amir Baniassadi, an assistant scientist at the Marcus Institute.
“This research highlights the need for public health interventions and housing policies that prioritize climate resilience for older adults. As global temperatures rise, ensuring access to temperature-controlled environments will be crucial for protecting their cognitive well-being.”
Previous research found that American senior citizens living in warm areas are more likely to endure “serious vision impairment” than those in colder regions.
