My DW is always hot, then cold, then cold, then hot. Repeat...

Jeff H

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this phenomenon. My DW is always complaining about being too cold. I then turn up the thermostat, and she then complains that she's too hot. So, I turn the thermostat back down. The process repeats and the hot and cold complaints are less than a minute or two of each other.

harshedbuzz

Not exactly the hot & cold issue, but dad was always cold. Even years before he was diagnosed in the late-middle stage, he'd set the heat to 85F in July. Damage to the part of the brain that regulates body temperature is damaged early on in one of the dementia he had but it's common with other forms of dementia as well.

A sweatshirt to put on was helpful as was a small space heater so long as he was supervised.

HB

RetiredTeacher

My DH s always cold. He wears a heavy weight quilted flannel jacket inside the house and the thermostat is set on 71. He has circulatory issues as well as VD.

Maru

Yes. It is not that uncommon. If DH begins changing the thermostat, I will have one installed that he can't change. Right now, he is okay with small changes or my suggestion to put on a sweater.

SDianeL

Yes, very common. Dementia causes people to feel hot and cold unusually because it impairs the brain's temperature control center (hypothalamus), reducing their ability to sense or react to temperature changes, leading to risks like overheating or hypothermia. They might put on more layers when feeling cold (even if warm) or struggle to communicate discomfort, requiring caregivers to use layered clothing, control indoor climate, ensure hydration, and watch for signs like agitation, sleepiness, or putting on too many clothes in heat.

BarnesL

My DW is the same way. One minute it's to hot later it's to cold. She told there was cold air coming out of the furnace vents when the furnace was on.

Stan2

My DW just started the same thing last week.