The ideal interior temperature for the cognitive performance of the elderly is between 20 and 24 ° C, according to a team of researchers.
- A study shows that interior temperatures can influence the cognitive performance of the elderly. Low -income populations are the most affected.
- Participants aged 65 and over reported fewer problems when their home was between 20 and 24 degrees. Apart from this beach, these problems doubled for each variation of 4 %, one way or the other.
- Researchers call for public health interventions to strengthen “climate resilience” for the elderly and housing policies to optimize interior temperatures, improve energy efficiency …
Neither too cold nor too hot, for the good of the brain? A new study, published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Scienceshighlights a significant link between the temperature within the home and the cognitive capacities of the elderly, thus emphasizing an increased risk for their cognitive health in the face of climate change.
Led by the researchers of the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Agging Research, affiliated with the Harvard Medical School, this study revealed that the seniors felt less difficult to maintain their attention when the temperature of their home was between 20 and 24 ° C. Apart from this beach, attention problems were doubled for each variation of 4 ° C, one way or the other.
A link between indoor temperature and cognitive capacities
Entitled “Home Ambient Temperature and Self-Reported attention in Community-Dwelling Older Adults”, this longitudinal study followed 47 adults aged 65 and over for a year. Researchers have monitored home temperatures as well as attention difficulties self-reported by participants. It shows that even under current climatic conditions, interior temperatures already affect the cognitive capacities of the elderly.
Low -income populations are particularly vulnerable, specifies a press release, as they often have limited resources to regulate their thermal environment, which accentuates health inequalities.
A global climate issue
“Our results help to understand the impact of environmental factors, such as inner temperature, on the cognitive health of aging populations”explain the researchers. They call for public health interventions aimed at strengthening the “Climate resilience” For the elderly and housing policies to optimize interior temperatures, improve energy efficiency …
While global temperatures increase, “Guaranteeing access to controlled thermal environments becomes crucial to protect their cognitive well-being”according to scientists. They recall that this study is added to other research showing that the effects of climate change exceed physical health to reach cognitive functions.
