Nursing homes exempted from energy saving scheme Which came into effect from last Wednesday, August 10. The main measures included in this rule were “turning off lighting after 10:00 p.m. in shop windows and buildings for public use, or a new limit of 27º for air conditioning and 19º for heating in the winter months.” All these initiatives will be valid till November 1, 2023.
yes, this responsibility Not applicable in hospitals, health centers, nurseries, schools, institutions, universities, gyms, hairdressers, laundryWithin the means of transport and, as we mentioned, residences also do not need to comply with this new rule.
Now, you have to ask yourself: What is the most suitable temperature for the elderly living in the residence?
experts answer
“It is difficult to establish optimal indoor temperatures for the elderly, as they depend on each individual (body weight, hydration level, type of diet…) and their health problems. The truth is that the elderly are much more prone to heat and sensitive to cold. And, moreover, they may not realize that they are in one or the other environment and do not react in time”, he explains 65YRead More, Fernando Garcia, Epidemiologist and spokesperson of the Madrid Association of Public Health (@ amasap,
That said, García López believes the new law has done well to exclude residences from this obligation: “The exception is justified. The optimum temperature range for the elderly is from 18 °C to 25 °C., although there are no conclusive studies to establish more precise recommendations. Australian researchers reported that a temperature of 22.6°, with a range between 20° and 26°, was associated with fewer episodes of agitation in nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s, although this study could not establish a clear cause-effect relationship. Is. In some countries, it is established by law that the ambient temperature in nursing homes is between 22° and 27°.
For his part, Dr. Maria Sainz, experts in preventive medicine and public health, reminding us that “People’s body temperature ranges from 36.1 to 37.2 °C. And its thermal comfort is related to ambient temperature and humidity as well as wind, evaporation and radiation. All these effects of pure environmental physics can be individually influenced by many factors such as advanced age, drug use, endocrine and neurological problems, mental disorders (senile dementia, anorexia) and stable living conditions among other conditions. It is therefore not trivial to talk about temperature and air conditioning in residential centres, especially those facing extreme heat waves, which have great potential for recurrence due to maximum in summer and environmental changes in winter.
“The body temperature of elderly people is usually around 35°C for everything previously declared and also depends on their body fat. Hence maintaining a balance between 22 to 24 °C during the day and around 18 to 20 °C at night would be within reasonable limits., because warm people with individual thermal sensitivities should be kept slightly warmer and, conversely, clothing for warmer people should be lighter. We should also avoid high flow of air and/or air conditioner directly on people’s body”, observes the doctor.
You have to take care of air quality
“The air conditions in the dwellings where older people live, eat, sleep and interact for more than 90% of their lives, to seek thermal comfort for the users and also for the people who work there There must be a high quality. Environmental quality can be affected by pollutants (suspended dust, CO2, CO, bacteria, fungi, viruses, as well as outdoor contamination) in indoor air therefore cleaning and technical maintenance of air conditioning systems with adequate air conditioning and maintain a relative humidity between 40- 50% (because Particles and fungi are abundant at 80% humidity), in addition to daily aeration, cleaning and disinfection of rooms, receptions, dining rooms, corridors and common areas. Interior air must be tempered in winter and adequate air conditioning in summer to avoid hot flashes and heat. In addition to increasing some distortion and for goodies. Extreme temperature leads us to take extreme care measures to maintain environmental comfort“, says Dr. Sainz.
in the same line Daniel Lopez Acuna, former director From the World Health Organization: “Old age habitats must maintain a sufficient temperature to ensure that heat waves do not affect the people who live in them, As established by the decree, they should be places of exception for energy savings to ensure that those who are highly vulnerable are not at risk, ”the expert begins by explaining.
,It is very important that the places of residence are well ventilated and maintain the temperature between 20 to 22 degrees, Since in winter it will also be important not to apply energy-saving actions in heating and the temperature does not fall below 20 degrees. Somehow, it is necessary to understand that habitats are places like ‘incubators’ that must maintain optimum temperatures for people whose age and whose concomitant diseases make them more vulnerable,” he says.
Recommendations for the elderly and temperature
“Needless to say, in winter Older people have to dress properly, with the required number of layers of clothing; They need to drink enough fluids, such as hot drinks, to stay hydrated; “They have to exercise indoors as much as possible and minimize time, and they have to avoid drafts caused by poorly closed doors or windows,” says Fernando García.
“And in the summer, Basic additional measures are to stay well hydrated, especially with water. —————————————————— When you’re thirsty, don’t wait to drink—Avoid drinking alcohol and sugary drinks; stay in the shade and out of the sun (and protect yourself with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen with at least SPF 15); light meal; Wear light, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing with natural fabrics; being in a closed and cold environment; Do not exercise during the hottest hours; keep windows open at night and ventilate the house in the morning and evening to cool the room; Avoid additional heat sources, such as ovens, as much as possible; If the temperature is above 32 degrees, do not cool with a fan or fan—on the other hand, inappropriate, as they can spread the virus in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 or other respiratory infection—and remove the heat over time— At times when it rains frequently or takes a shower with fresh water”, the expert continues to recommend.
“I mean, it’s about Combine energy consumption for heating and air conditioningwhich should be higher in nursing homes, along with other free measures – some of which serve to reduce energy consumption – that contribute to improving the thermal well-being of residents”, concludes García.
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