Zhou, Xinbei;
Liu, Meng;
Zhai, Yingxian;
Zhu, Lu;
Lei, Yu;
Zhao, Chenxu;
Wei, Shen;
... Li, Ziqiao; + view all
(2025)
A preliminary study on the subjective, physiological and behavioural responses of older people with dementia to indoor thermal environment in summer − A case in Chongqing.
Energy and Buildings
, 344
, Article 116026. 10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.116026.
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1-s2.0-S037877882500756X-main.pdf - Accepted Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 20 June 2026. Download (4MB) |
Abstract
The indoor thermal environment plays a vital role in the psychological and physiological health of elderly individuals with dementia, particularly in the context of climate change. Due to impaired thermoregulation and cognitive confusion, the thermal responses of those with dementia remain poorly understood. This study aims to preliminarily explore the unique subjective, physiological, and behavioural responses of elderly individuals with dementia to warm indoor environments during summer. Twelve elderly residents from a nursing home in China were recruited for a month-long monitor and an onsite experiment. The findings revealed significant differences in the indoor temperatures of living spaces between elderly individuals with and without dementia. Notably, rooms of the demented participants were frequently maintained at temperatures outside the typical comfort range (above 30 °C or below 25 °C). The behaviour of the elderly participants with dementia was characterised by extreme temperature setpoint and intensive usage of air conditioners at night. In terms of subjective thermal perception, these individuals exhibited temperature-insensitivity or mismatched thermal evaluations. Physiologically, lower ear-canal and facial skin temperatures were observed among the demented participants. These findings suggest a significant discrepancy in the thermal demands of elderly individuals with dementia, warranting further investigation with a larger sample size.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | A preliminary study on the subjective, physiological and behavioural responses of older people with dementia to indoor thermal environment in summer − A case in Chongqing |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.116026 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.116026 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Dementia, Thermal response, Older people, Indoor environment |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10209953 |
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