A new study suggests that something as simple as the temperature inside a home may play an important role in how well older adults can think, concentrate, and stay mentally alert.
The findings add to growing evidence that our living environment can have a direct effect on brain health, especially as people get older. The researchers also warn that climate change could make this issue more serious in the future as heat waves become more common and weather conditions become more extreme.
The study was carried out by scientists at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, part of Hebrew SeniorLife and affiliated with Harvard Medical School. The team wanted to better understand how everyday environmental conditions influence the health and wellbeing of older adults.
While many studies have examined the effects of temperature on physical health, fewer have explored how indoor temperatures may affect attention and thinking abilities.
To investigate this question, the researchers followed 47 adults aged 65 and older for one year. The participants lived independently in their own homes. During the study, scientists monitored the temperature inside each home and regularly asked participants about any problems they experienced with attention, focus, or concentration.
The results revealed a clear pattern. Older adults reported the fewest attention problems when indoor temperatures stayed between 68 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 20 to 24 degrees Celsius. This temperature range appeared to be the most comfortable for maintaining mental focus.
When temperatures moved outside this range, either becoming warmer or colder, attention problems became much more common.
The researchers found that the risk of difficulty focusing doubled with every 7-degree Fahrenheit change away from the ideal temperature range. In other words, even moderate changes in indoor temperature could affect how well older adults were able to pay attention.
These findings are important because attention is a key part of everyday thinking. People rely on attention to follow conversations, remember information, manage medications, make decisions, and complete daily activities. Small declines in attention can affect independence and quality of life.
The study also highlights a growing concern related to climate change. Around the world, average temperatures are rising, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Older adults are often more sensitive to heat and cold than younger people. Many also spend more time indoors, making home conditions especially important.
The researchers noted that some older adults may face additional challenges because of limited financial resources. People living on fixed incomes may struggle to afford air conditioning, heating, or energy bills. As a result, indoor temperatures can fluctuate more widely, increasing the risk of discomfort and potentially affecting cognitive health.
Lead author Dr. Amir Baniassadi explained that understanding environmental factors such as indoor temperature is becoming increasingly important for supporting healthy aging. The study suggests that creating stable and comfortable home environments may help older adults maintain better mental function.
The findings also connect with previous research showing that temperature can influence sleep quality, mood, and brain performance. Poor sleep and physical discomfort caused by excessive heat or cold may place extra stress on the body and mind, making it harder to stay focused and alert.
The researchers believe that several practical solutions could help protect older adults. Better housing standards, improved access to energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and smart home technologies that automatically regulate temperature may all play a role.
Public awareness is also important so that families, healthcare professionals, and community organizations can recognize the potential impact of indoor temperatures on cognitive health.
According to Dr. Lewis Lipsitz, director of the Marcus Institute, and Dr. Brad Manor, an associate scientist involved in the research, the study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that climate change affects more than physical health. It may also influence mental and cognitive wellbeing, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Although the study involved a relatively small number of participants, its results are consistent with broader research linking environmental conditions to brain health. The findings suggest that maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures may be a simple but important way to support healthy aging.
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The research was published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences.
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