The temperature inside your home may play a much bigger role in your health than many people realize.
A study suggests that even small changes in indoor temperature could affect how well older adults are able to concentrate and pay attention.
The research, published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, also raises new concerns about how climate change could influence brain health as the world’s temperatures continue to rise.
As people grow older, their bodies become less able to adjust to very hot or very cold weather. Older adults often do not notice temperature changes as quickly as younger people, and they may have health conditions or take medicines that make it harder for their bodies to stay at a comfortable temperature.
This is one reason older people are more likely to become sick during heat waves or cold weather. Scientists now believe that temperature may also affect how well the brain works.
The study was carried out by researchers at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, part of Hebrew SeniorLife and affiliated with Harvard Medical School. The team wanted to understand whether the temperature inside a person’s home could influence everyday brain function, especially the ability to focus and pay attention.
The researchers followed 47 adults aged 65 years and older for one year. They placed temperature monitors inside the participants’ homes to record indoor conditions throughout the study. The volunteers were also asked regular questions about how well they were able to concentrate and whether they had experienced problems paying attention.
The results showed a clear pattern. People had the fewest attention problems when their homes stayed between 20°C and 24°C (68°F to 75°F).
When the indoor temperature became about 4°C (7°F) warmer or colder than this range, the chance of having difficulty concentrating doubled. This suggests that the brain may work best when the indoor environment remains comfortable and stable.
Lead researcher Dr. Amir Baniassadi said the findings are especially important because climate change is making extreme temperatures more common. As heat waves become more frequent and winters become less predictable in some areas, keeping homes at safe temperatures may become increasingly important for protecting brain health in older adults.
The study also found that not everyone faces the same level of risk. Older adults with lower incomes may have greater difficulty paying for heating or air conditioning, or they may live in homes that are poorly insulated.
As a result, they are more likely to experience indoor temperatures that are too hot or too cold. Over time, this could affect their ability to think clearly and carry out daily activities.
The researchers believe these findings support the need for better public health planning. Improving access to affordable heating and cooling, designing homes that stay comfortable during extreme weather, and using energy-efficient technology could all help older adults maintain healthier living conditions.
Smart home systems that automatically adjust indoor temperatures may also become useful tools in the future.
The study was relatively small, so more research involving larger groups of people is still needed. However, the results agree with earlier studies showing that temperature can influence sleep, memory, mood, and thinking ability. Together, these findings suggest that the environment inside the home is an important part of healthy aging.
Although people cannot control the weather outside, they can often take steps to improve the environment inside their homes. Keeping indoor temperatures comfortable, staying well hydrated during hot weather, dressing appropriately in cold weather, and checking on older family members during periods of extreme temperatures may all help support better health.
This research reminds us that climate change affects more than the environment. It may also influence how well our brains function as we age. By creating safer and more comfortable homes, families, healthcare providers, and communities may be able to help older adults stay mentally sharp and maintain a better quality of life for longer.
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