Most people know that extreme temperatures can affect how the body feels, but new research shows that the temperature inside your home might also shape how well your brain works as you get older.
A recent study has found that even small changes in indoor temperature can influence how clearly older adults think, focus, and stay alert. As the world becomes warmer due to climate change, this discovery has become even more important for families, caregivers, and communities.
The study was done by scientists from the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, which is connected to Hebrew SeniorLife and Harvard Medical School.
They wanted to understand how a person’s daily living environment affects their brain health over time. Many older adults spend a large part of their day at home, so researchers wondered whether indoor temperature plays a bigger role than previously thought.
To answer this question, the team followed 47 adults aged 65 and older for one full year. They recorded the temperature inside each person’s home and asked them about their attention levels, including whether they had trouble staying focused or concentrating. What they discovered was surprising.
Older adults performed best when their indoor temperature stayed between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 20 to 24 degrees Celsius. When temperatures went above or below this range, the risk of attention problems increased sharply.
In fact, for every 7-degree change outside the ideal range, the chance of having trouble focusing doubled. This shows that keeping the home at a steady, comfortable temperature is not just a matter of comfort. It may actually help protect the brain.
Scientists have known for years that high temperatures can make people feel tired and affect sleep. Poor sleep can lead to slower thinking and memory problems. But this study shows that heat and cold might affect the brain directly, even when people think they feel fine.
This is especially concerning because many older adults live in homes that heat up or cool down quickly. Some may not have strong air-conditioning or heating systems, and some might avoid using them because energy costs are high. This means that low-income seniors may face even higher risks of memory and attention problems simply because their homes are too hot or too cold.
The researchers explained that as climate change continues to raise global temperatures, these risks will grow. Heatwaves are becoming more common, and many older adults already struggle during very hot days.
The study suggests that protecting brain health must be part of climate planning. Building safer homes, improving temperature control, and helping older people access energy-efficient cooling and heating could all help reduce health risks.
The study also adds to a growing body of research showing that temperature affects many aspects of health. Other studies have found that high indoor temperatures can disturb sleep, raise stress levels, and worsen chronic health conditions.
All of these factors can make it harder for older adults to stay mentally sharp. Scientists involved in the study, including Dr. Amir Baniassadi and Dr. Lewis Lipsitz, say that we need to start thinking about indoor temperatures the same way we think about clean water or safe food—something that strongly affects health and deserves serious attention.
Although the study group was small, the results match what many other studies have started to show: the environment around us affects the brain more than we realize.
Taking early steps now, such as improving housing rules, helping seniors access better cooling systems, and increasing public awareness, could help protect millions of older adults in the future. It also reminds families to check in on older loved ones during very hot or cold days and make sure their home environment is safe.
People who want to keep their brains healthy may also want to explore other research showing that lowering inflammation can slow cognitive decline, while low vitamin D levels may speed it up. Studies also suggest that regular exercise and certain diets, such as the MIND diet, may help protect brain function and reduce the risk of dementia.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and blood pressure problem at night may increase Alzheimer’s risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and epilepsy drug may help treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
