Winter Safety for Older Adults in Michigan: A Practical Guide for Families

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The short answer

To keep an older adult safe in a Michigan winter, keep the home at 68°F or warmer, dress in loose layers, and know the signs of hypothermia. Clear and salt walkways to prevent falls, install carbon monoxide alarms, and never heat the home with an oven or grill. Have a plan for power outages, and check in often, because winter isolation is a real health risk. Michigan's Winter Protection Plan protects customers 65 and older from heat shutoffs from November 1 to March 31.

Key takeaways

• Older adults lose body heat faster than younger people, and hypothermia can happen indoors. Keep the thermostat at 68°F or higher.
• Confusion, sleepiness, slurred speech, and shivering can be signs of hypothermia. A body temperature below 95°F is an emergency.
• Ice is the biggest winter fall risk. Clear and salt walkways before your loved one goes out, and use shoes with good tread or ice cleats.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home, and never use an oven, grill, or generator indoors to stay warm.
• Michigan's Winter Protection Plan protects utility customers 65 and older from heat shutoffs from November 1 to March 31. Enroll with your utility.

Michigan winters are long, and for older adults they bring real health risks: cold homes, icy sidewalks, power outages, and weeks of being stuck inside. Most of these risks can be prevented with some planning before the first big storm. This guide covers what families can do now to keep an aging parent or loved one safe until spring.

Why winter is harder on older adults

As we age, the body becomes less able to sense and respond to cold. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid problems, and memory loss, make it harder still. Some medicines, including certain over-the-counter cold remedies, can also affect how the body holds heat. That is why an older adult can become dangerously cold without noticing, even inside their own home.

Keep the home warm enough

The National Institute on Aging recommends setting the heat to at least 68°F. Many seniors turn the heat down to save money, but a cooler home raises the risk of hypothermia for an older adult.

• Set the thermostat to at least 68°F, day and night.
• Close off rooms that are not being used, and keep curtains closed at night.
• Wear loose layers indoors, plus socks, slippers with non-slip soles, and a hat if the house is cool.
• Use extra blankets at night. Electric blankets should be in good condition and never tucked under the mattress.
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, and turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

Know the signs of hypothermia

Hypothermia happens when body temperature drops too low. In older adults, the early signs can look like confusion or tiredness, so they are easy to miss.

• Cold skin, especially on the stomach, back, or arms
• Shivering, or stiffness in the arms and legs
• Confusion, sleepiness, or unusual behavior
• Slow or slurred speech
• Slow, shallow breathing or a weak pulse

Prevent falls on snow and ice

Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, and ice makes them more likely.

• Arrange for steps, walkways, and the driveway to be shoveled and salted before your loved one goes out, not after.
• Keep a bucket of salt or sand by the door.
• Wear boots with good tread, and consider slip-on ice cleats for walking outside.
• Take small, flat steps on slippery surfaces, and use handrails.
• Put a mat inside the door and wipe up melted snow right away, since wet floors cause falls too.

For a room-by-room plan for the inside of the home, see our fall prevention checklist.

Leave the shoveling to someone else

Shoveling heavy snow is hard work for the heart. The American Heart Association warns that people with heart disease, or with risk factors such as high blood pressure, should talk to their doctor before shoveling. For most older adults, it is safer to have a family member, neighbor, or snow removal service do it.

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas you cannot see or smell. Furnaces, gas stoves, generators, and blocked chimneys can all produce it, and winter is when most poisonings happen.

• Install battery-operated or battery-backup CO alarms on every level of the home, and near bedrooms. Test them, and replace the batteries when you change the clocks.
• Have the furnace, water heater, and chimney inspected every fall.
• Never use a gas oven, stovetop, or charcoal grill to heat the home.
• Never run a generator inside the home, basement, or garage. Keep it outside and at least 20 feet from windows and doors.
• Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and confusion can be signs of CO poisoning. If the alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call 911.

Plan for power outages

Ice storms often knock out power across Michigan, sometimes for days.

• Keep flashlights, fresh batteries, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio where your loved one can find them in the dark.
• Keep a few days of water, easy food, and medications on hand.
• If your loved one uses oxygen or other powered medical equipment, ask the doctor about a backup plan, and tell the utility.
• If a shutoff would make a medical condition worse, a doctor can complete the Michigan Public Service Commission's medical certification form. It postpones a shutoff for up to 21 days and can be renewed. Ask your utility how it works.
• Know where the nearest warming center is. Calling 211 is a quick way to find one.

Get help with heating bills

Many seniors keep the house too cold because they are worried about the bill. There is help.

• Winter Protection Plan: utility customers 65 and older can enroll with their utility to be protected from heat shutoffs from November 1 to March 31, regardless of income. Low-income customers can also qualify. The plan does not erase the bill, but it keeps the heat on.
• State Emergency Relief (SER): MDHHS can help eligible households with heating bills and shutoff notices. You can apply through MI Bridges.
• Michigan Energy Assistance Program: local agencies help eligible households with energy bills. Call 211 to find one near you.

Watch for isolation and low mood

Weeks of cold weather and short days can keep older adults home alone. Isolation affects health: people eat less, move less, and miss early signs of illness. Shorter days can also bring on low mood or seasonal depression.

• Set up a daily phone or video call.
• Plan regular visits from family, friends, or a caregiver.
• Make sure the pantry is stocked so a storm does not mean missed meals.
• Tell the doctor if your loved one seems sad, withdrawn, or not like themselves.

When extra help at home makes sense

If your parent lives alone, a caregiver who visits a few times a week can check that the house is warm, help with meals and bathing, and spot warning signs before they become emergencies. That is what personal care is for. And if you are the one doing all of the winter check-ins, respite care gives you a break without leaving your loved one alone.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should an older person keep their house in winter?

The National Institute on Aging recommends setting the heat to at least 68°F. Older adults lose body heat faster and may not notice they are getting too cold.

Can an older adult get hypothermia indoors?

Yes. Older adults can develop hypothermia in a home that is too cold, especially if they live alone, have certain medical conditions, or take certain medicines. Watch for confusion, sleepiness, and cold skin.

Can my parent's heat be shut off in a Michigan winter?

Michigan's Winter Protection Plan protects utility customers age 65 and older from heat shutoffs from November 1 to March 31, regardless of income. They need to enroll with their utility, and they still owe for what they use.

Should seniors shovel snow?

It is safer for most older adults not to. Shoveling heavy snow puts a lot of strain on the heart, and the American Heart Association advises people with heart disease or heart risk factors to talk to their doctor first. Ice also raises the risk of falls.

Sources

1. National Institute on Aging: Cold Weather Safety for Older Adults
2. CDC: Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
3. CDC: Preventing Hypothermia and Frostbite
4. Michigan Public Service Commission: Medical Certification Form
5. State of Michigan: Winter Protection Plan for seniors and low-income customers (2021)
6. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services: State Emergency Relief
7. American Heart Association: Snow Shoveling Health Hazards

This article is general information to help families plan care. It is not medical advice and does not replace a conversation with your own doctor or care team. If someone is hurt or in danger, call 911.