BOSTON — A new study finds that indoor temperature significantly affects older adults’ ability to concentrate, even in their own homes where they control the climate. Researchers at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, conducted a year-long study monitoring 47 community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older.
The study tracked both their home temperatures and their self-reported ability to maintain attention throughout the day. What they discovered was a clear U-shaped relationship between room temperature and cognitive function. In other words, attention spans were optimal within a specific temperature range and declined when rooms became either too hot or too cold.
The sweet spot for cognitive function appeared to be between 20-24°C (68-75°F). When temperatures deviated from this range by just 4°C (7°F) in either direction, participants were twice as likely to report difficulty maintaining attention on tasks. This finding is particularly concerning given that many older adults live on fixed incomes and may struggle to maintain optimal indoor temperatures, especially during extreme weather events.
The study’s findings revealed an interesting asymmetry in how people responded to temperature variations. While both hot and cold conditions impaired attention, participants seemed particularly sensitive to cold temperatures. When reporting feeling cold, they showed greater cognitive difficulties across a wider range of actual temperatures compared to when they felt hot. This suggests that maintaining adequate heating may be especially crucial for preserving cognitive function in older adults during winter months.
The research highlights the need for public health interventions and housing policies that prioritize climate resilience for older adults. As global temperatures rise, ensuring access to temperature-controlled environments will be crucial for protecting their cognitive well-being.
