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COMMON RESIDENT COMPLAINT I AM

COLD
During my internship at St. Joseph of The Pines (SJOP) a
commonality amongst the geriatric residents within the
facility was revealed. Many of the residents would
complain of being cold.
The nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) at SJOP
were attentive about increasing each residents room
temperature, applying sweaters, or extra bed linens as
needed. however the complaints of I am cold continued.
Research shows that geriatric residents often complain of
feeling uncomfortable, in pain, being cold, or anxious as a
sign of discomfort to exposure to a cool environment.
Researchers, have also noted, that after the application of a
warm blanket on the residents body and skin, the
discomfort and the accompanying complaints of cold
were significantly decreased within one hour or less in
most of the residents (Robinson & Benton, 2002).

GOALS TO AID RESIDENTS THAT FEEL

COLD
*To increase resident comfort, increase blood and lymph
circulation, increase blood flow to vital organs and
extremities and increase vasodilation.
*To help staff recognize signs of sensory changes in geriatric
residents.
*Teach simple, manageable tips that staff and residents can
use for warming measures.
*Present data on two state of the art blanket warmers and
each ones price point and amenities.
* Present data and price point on additional linens for the
purposed warming units.
*Explain the best material /fabric that should be used for
warming geriatric residents ( to prevent tears, burns, and
skin breakdown).

RE-WARMING STRATEGIES IN THE

ELDERLY
*Historically one of the quickest methods to warm an individual or raise
their body temperature is by : passively warming the residents room;
and applying external heat.
*Application of warm blankets next to the individuals body, then covering
the warm blankets with the outer sheet and top blanket./ or bedspread.
The entire body of the individual including the head should be covered
leaving only the face open. This insulating or cocooning method assures
a much warmer, gentler warming result for the individual rather than
piling heavy bedspreads on frail, geriatric residents.
*Temperature increases of 0.5 degrees C/F to 2.0 degrees C/F per hour
are aimed for and are within normal limits.
* Passive rewarming is ideal and successful for individuals that are
basically healthy and who get cold or hypothermic periodically
(Healthncure, 2010).

SENSORY CHANGES IN THE ELDERLY

*Geriatric residents have more difficulty generating and conserving body
heat due to metabolism, circulation and body density (tissue) changes.
*Nerve endings sensitive to heat loss are unevenly distributed throughout
the human body.as we age our perception of COLD can become
altered making us feel cold and experience more distress than our actual
body temperature may reveal.
*The areas of the human body with the heaviest concentration of nerve
endings below the skin that are sensitive to heat loss are the hands,
feet , and face (Holtzclaw, B. 1993).

Because of the sensory changes that occur in the elderly resident

warming measures should be evaluated on an individual basis.

Warming socks, gloves, and hats may be all that a specific resident
needs along with environmental warming.

WHEN TO UTILIZE WARMING MEASURES

One researcher a 30 + year staff nurse in a long-term care facility

noted that there appears to be less experience dealing with the old
and cold residents needs she hopes that re-education will help
both residents and caregivers .

The following are recommendations for when to utilize warming

measures.

Resident complains of cold and is afebrile.

Resident is in pain, anxious, or can not sleep.

Resident is post-treatment, post-op, post-inpatient hospitalization.

Resident needs comfort measure and TLC

Resident request a warm blanket or warming measures.

Warming can include the environment, dressing the resident warmly

and applying additional warm blankets (Robinson & Benton, 2002).

FUTURE HEALTH CONCEPTS BLANKET

WARMERS
Capacity: 60 Blankets, Gowns, Towels,
etc.
Glass or Stainless Steel Front Door
Price: $4,395.00
Shipping: $250.00
Largest Unit
Hospital and Medical Equipment for
40 years
# 1-888-282-8644

FUTURE HEALTH CONCEPTS BLANKET

WARMERS
Capacity: 9-14 Blankets, Gowns,
Towels, etc.
Glass or Stainless Steel Front Door
Price: $3,395.00
Shipping: $250.00
Smallest (Counter-Top) Unit
# 1-888-282-8644

CURRENT LINEN SELECTION

St. Joseph of the Pines (SJOP) housekeeping department currently utilize

the Harbor Linen Company to purchase the linens used within the facility.

The only price point comparison that was done for this study was on 63 x
90 inch 60/40 cotton, polyester blend bath-blankets.

Currently SJOP is paying $111.00 per one dozen of the above described
bath-blankets.

Harbor Linen.com on their website offered the exact same blanket at

$90.00 per one dozen.

A potential monetary savings of $21.00 per dozen bath blankets

purchased by SJOP.

The above information was shared with the housekeeping supervisor Mr.
Tommy.

Other linens like gowns, towels and bedspreads may have cheaper price
points on-line as well.

FABRIC OF CHOICE FOR WARMING THE

ELDERLY

Warm muslin, cotton or wool blankets, bath blankets, sheets, bath

towels or gowns

100% Cotton flannel sheets when possible for warmth and for skin
integrity.

Washable sweaters and socks from home.

Leg warmers or thigh-high stockings.

Long sleeved night gowns.

Of note: no regular type of warming measure or blanket can reflect

nonexistent or subnormal body temperature. Elderly thermostats
sometimes need a jump start to help the resident reach a level of
comfort and rest. This can only be achieved with the application of
warm cotton blankets in a cocooning method (Holtzclaw, 1993).

LONG RANGE GOAL

Present proposal to director of nursing, vice-president of

facilities management , medical director and the board of St.
Joseph of the Pines Health and Rehabilitation Facility.

To receive full or partial funding for seven warming units for

the resident halls of St. Joseph of the Pines Health and
Rehabilitation Facility.

In-service staff, utilizing this power point about the

importance of geriatric resident warming measures.

REFERENCES
Future Health Concepts-Hospital and medical equipment. ( Tel. # 1-888-2828644) Retrieved from
http://www.futurehealthconcepts.com/fluid-blanket-warmers.
Harbor Linen- Hospital and medical supply linen company. ( Tel. # 1-800-2577858) Retrieved from www. Harborlinen.com
Healthncure, (2010). Re-warming strategies in hypothermia. Retrieved from
http://www.healthncure.net/re-warming-strategies-in-hypothermia/ 4/6/2016.
Holtzclaw, B. (1993). Keeping elderly patients warm in bed. Geriatric Nursing,
14 (4), 180-181. Retrieved from http://
www.gnjournal.com/article/SO197-4572(06)80031-5/abstract.
Robinson, S. & Benton, G. (2002). Warmed blankets: an intervention to promote
comfort for elderly hospitalized patients. Geriatric Nursing, 23 (6), 320-323.
Retrieved from http://
www.gnjournal.com/article/SO197-4572(02)00082-4/abstract?cc=y=.