Why is my elderly relative so cold all the time?

There are several potential reasons why your elderly relative is cold. As we age our metabolism slows down leading to decreased energy. If we have low energy we can feel cold. Also, people who are cold can have problems wtih their thyroid gland which helps manage their metabolism. A low thyroid gland output is called hypothyroidism and can cause symptoms of feeling cold. Additionally some elderly people become less active and develop poor diets which make them lose weight. Without adequate fat storage they have less insulation which can also be a cause of feeling cold. If they aren't as active, they aren't elevating their metabolism and can ultimately lead to that constant cold sensation.