A new study shows that indoor temperatures can strongly affect how well older adults can think and focus. As the world gets warmer, this research highlights a hidden danger of climate change: its impact on brain health.
Scientists from the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, part of Hebrew SeniorLife and Harvard Medical School, studied how room temperature affects the minds of older people. They found that older adults had the least trouble focusing when their homes stayed between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 24 degrees Celsius).
But when the temperature inside went above or below that range by just 7 degrees (about 4 degrees Celsius), the chances of having attention problems nearly doubled. This means that keeping a steady indoor temperature is important for staying mentally sharp, especially as people age.
The researchers followed 47 people aged 65 and older for one year. They tracked how warm or cold their homes were and asked the participants how well they could pay attention each day. The results were published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.
The study found that many older adults already live in homes where temperatures might harm their brain health. This is even more troubling for people with low incomes or limited access to heating and cooling. These groups may not be able to keep their homes in the safe temperature range, which puts them at greater risk.
Dr. Amir Baniassadi, who led the study, said that it’s important to understand how the environment around us can affect how our brains work as we age. “As the climate continues to change, making sure people can live in homes with stable temperatures will be key to protecting their mental health,” he explained.
Other researchers on the team, including Dr. Lewis Lipsitz and Dr. Brad Manor, added that climate change doesn’t just hurt our bodies—it can also hurt our minds. Their work shows the need to think about brain health when we talk about global warming and extreme weather.
To help fix this problem, the researchers suggest several steps: improving homes so they can stay cool in summer and warm in winter, giving people access to smart thermostats, and creating public health programs to help older adults stay safe as the climate changes.
The study may have had a small group of people, but its message is clear. If we want to help older adults stay healthy and sharp, we need to make sure their homes stay in a safe temperature range. This is especially important for those who might not have the money or tools to manage indoor temperatures on their own.
Climate change is a big challenge, but by taking action now—through better housing, technology, and support—we can protect the brain health of our aging population.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and flavonoid-rich foods could help prevent dementia.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that cranberries could help boost memory, and how alcohol, coffee and tea intake influence cognitive decline.
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