Lowering your thermostat past a certain point may lead to cognitive impairment, according to researchers' assertions
A new study, conducted by researchers at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research in Boston and affiliated with Harvard, has found that maintaining indoor temperatures within the range of 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 24 degrees Celsius) could help protect cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia.
The study, published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, involved 47 adults aged 65 and older, with an average age of 79. Participants had temperature sensors installed in their most frequented rooms for 24/7 monitoring, and were asked to complete regular questionnaires reporting on their ability to concentrate and maintain attention.
Over the course of one year, the study found that older adults living in homes with ambient temperatures between 20°C and 24°C experienced the least difficulty concentrating. Conversely, cognitive risks doubled when indoor temperatures shifted by 4°C in either direction outside this range.
Dr Amir Baniassadi, the study's lead author and a brain health expert, stated that maintaining an ideal indoor temperature is vital for older adults' cognitive health. He explained that by keeping your home heating within the 20°C to 24°C range, you're investing in your brain health for years to come.
The implications of the research extend beyond individual health, emphasizing the need for public health initiatives and housing policies that prioritize climate-resilient housing and access to heating control technology. Low-income and underserved older adults may be especially vulnerable to temperature-related cognitive risks as global temperatures rise.
It's important to note that this thermostat range is widely supported by research on indoor environmental conditions promoting brain health in aging populations and is consistent with typical recommendations from Harvard-related research and the Journal of Gerontology studies on aging and cognitive function.
However, for those concerned about the exact temperature details, further research may be required to provide more precise numbers. The researchers also emphasized the importance of addressing climate change to ensure that homes remain comfortable and safe for all, particularly as we face rising global temperatures.
In colder homes, reduced blood flow to the brain due to constricted blood vessels increases the risk of dementia. Conversely, excessively warm conditions can lead to dehydration, disrupt sleep, and directly damage brain cells - factors that significantly elevate dementia risk.
This study builds on existing research linking optimal indoor temperatures to better sleep, which is critical for brain health and dementia prevention. With dementia diagnoses expected to double by 2060, addressing environmental factors like indoor temperature may play a crucial role in reducing the burden of cognitive decline.
- Maintaining indoor temperatures within the range of 20 to 24 degrees Celsius, as suggested by the study, could potentially guide older adults in designing their home heating systems to protect cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia.
- A sound housing policy that prioritizes climate-resilient construction and access to energy-efficient technologies like door insulation and smart thermostats, based on this research, becomes crucial to ensure the health-and-wellness of older adults in the face of climate change.
- The scientific evidence demonstrates that keeping homes within the 20 to 24 degrees Celsius temperature range, when combined with effective environmental-science practices, can assist in mental-health preservation and the prevention of age-related cognitive decline.
- By focusing on building homes that incorporate environmental science principles, such as thermally efficient walls and energy-efficient windows, we can help mitigate the effects of aging on cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia.
- Adopting therapeuties-and-treatments that combat dementia requires a broader approach, taking into account factors such as indoor temperature, and it's essential to build comfortable and safe environments using green building practices and energy-saving measures.
- As part of broader health-and-wellness strategies, environmental-science interventions like adjusting heating systems to ensure indoor temperatures remain between 20 to 24 degrees Celsius may contribute to the prevention of cognitive decline associated with aging and climate change.
- By fostering a greater understanding of the impact of indoor temperature on cognitive function and dementia risk, we can encourage the development of aging-focused housing projects that integrate environmental considerations for improved mental-health outcomes.
