We have all been uncomfortable when the indoor temperature is too hot or too cold. Now a new study published in Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences has identified a significant relationship between indoor temperatures and cognitive performance in older adults, shedding light on how climate change may pose an increased risk to cognitive health.
Conducted by scientists at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, the research arm of Hebrew SeniorLife, a nonprofit affiliate of Harvard Medical School, the study found that older adults reported the least difficulty maintaining attention when their home temperatures were within 68–75 ˚F (20–24 ˚C).
Observational in nature, the study reinforces previous findings that older adults sleep best — a key factor in reducing dementia risk — when the room temperatures are between 68°F and 77°F.
The science is simple: When elderly humans are put into colder homes, the body has to work harder to stay warm, causing blood vessels to constrict, which reduces blood flow to the brain, thus possibly increasing the risk of dementia. Excessive heat can lead to dehydration and disrupt sleep.
Excessively cold and hot ambient temperatures have both been linked to cognitive decline, the researchers found.
While the research doesn’t prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it adds to growing evidence suggesting that the right temperature is important for maintainingbrain health.
A deviation of 7˚F (4 ˚C) doubles the risk of attention lapses, highlighting how even current climate conditions may harm cognitive health. This risk is especially pronounced for low-income seniors who may lack the means to regulate and maintain indoor temperatures.
The findings emphasize the need for climate-resilient housing policies and public health interventions to protect aging populations. As global temperatures rise, safeguarding access to temperature-controlled environments could prevent cognitive decline. Smart technologies and improved energy-efficient housing are proposed as proactive solutions.