As we age, the elderly’s thermoregulation ability, skin perception function, and blood circulation system gradually decline, making them more sensitive to cold environments and more prone to joint pain and other problems. As a convenient and safe method of continuous warming physiotherapy, spontaneous heating patches can effectively help the elderly improve local blood circulation and relieve muscle stiffness and joint discomfort.
1. Physiological characteristics and heat needs of the elderly
1.1 Why are older people more afraid of cold?
The basal metabolic rate of the elderly decreases, the body heat production decreases, the subcutaneous fat becomes thinner, and the thermoregulation ability is weakened. In addition, the elasticity of blood vessels decreases, and peripheral blood circulation deteriorates, especially the hands and feet are easy to get cold, and it is more likely to feel cold in winter.
1.2 Joint pain and degenerative diseases
Wear and tear of joint cartilage, osteoporosis and decreased ligament elasticity make the elderly a high incidence of osteoarthritis and rheumatic pain, and cold stimuli often aggravate joint stiffness and pain.
1.3 The risk of low-temperature burns needs to be vigilant
The elderly have thin skin, reduced ability to sense temperature changes, and slow response to thermal stimuli, making them high-risk groups for low-temperature burns. Therefore, the safety of warm products is of utmost importance.
2. Scientific and safe: choose and use heating patches for parents
2.1 Apply correctly and use it through clothing
It is best not to apply directly to the skin. It should be applied to the outside of dry, clean underwear or thin layers of clothing, especially avoiding areas with broken skin, redness or paresthesia.
2.2 Control the duration and avoid staying overnight
It is not recommended to use it for more than 8-12 hours at a time, and do not sleep with a warm patch on it. Applying warm compresses for long periods of time may increase the risk of low-temperature burns.
2.3 Check regularly and observe carefully
During use, children should remind their parents to remove it immediately if they feel burning, redness or other discomfort. Help parents regularly check the condition of the skin at the application site.
3. Daily intimate companion: practical scenes of heating stickers
3.1 During morning activities
When the temperature is low in the early morning, the elderly can apply a warming belt on their waist before going out to exercise or buy groceries, which can help prevent joint stiffness and reduce discomfort caused by cold wind stimulation.
3.2 At home and leisure
When watching TV, reading newspapers or resting, apply a piece to your waist or abdomen and use it with a blanket to not only keep you warm, but also relax your muscles and relieve fatigue caused by sitting for a long time.
3.3 Sleep preparation stage
When the weather is cold, the elderly can place the heating patch on the far end of the quilt or the soles of the feet in advance before going to bed (remember not to touch the body directly) to help warm up the bedding and improve sleep comfort, but be sure to take it out before falling asleep.
With its stable heating, easy use and affordable characteristics, self-heating patches are very suitable as auxiliary tools for the elderly to protect themselves from the cold and keep warm and take care of their joints. When choosing for their parents, children should pay attention to product safety, choose reliable brands, and patiently teach parents how to use them correctly. Let the warm products of science and technology truly become a caring partner to protect the health of the elderly, and also become a warm bond of family affection.
