AgeUKIG27 Winter Wrapped Up Inf

8/4/2019 AgeUKIG27 Winter Wrapped Up Inf

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Winterwrapped up

Health &wellbeing

A guide to keeping well, warmand in touch with other people

AGEUKIG27

For more information on the issues covered in this guide, or to

order any of our publications, please call Age UK Advice free on

0800 169 65 65 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/healthandwellbeing

Our publications are also available in large print and audio formats.

The following Age UK information guides may be useful:

Claiming benefits: a guide for people over State Pension age

Save energy, pay less

Staying safe

Age UK offers a wide range of products and services specially

designed for people in later life, for more information,please call 0800 169 18 19.

If contact details for your local Age UK/Age Concern* are not

in the box below, call Age UK Advice free on 0800 169 65 65.

What should I do now?

*Many local Age Concerns are changing their name to Age UK.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 andregistered company number 6825798). The registered address is 207221 Pentonville Road, London N1 9UZ. Age ConcernEngland (registered charity number 261794) and Help the Aged (registered charity number 272786), and their trading andother associated companies merged on 1 April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group, dedicated to improvingthe lives of people in later life. The three national Age Concerns in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have also mergedwith Help the Aged in these nations to form three registered charities: Age Scotland, Age NI and Age Cymru. ID9584 09/10


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This information guide has been prepared by Age UK and contains general

advice only, which we hope will be useful. Nothing in this guide should be

construed as specific advice and it should not be relied on as a basis for any

decision or action and is in no way intended as a substitute for professional

medical advice specific to any individual case. Age UK does not accept any

liability from its use. We aim to ensure that this information is as up to

date and accurate as possible, but please be warned that certain areas are

subject to change from time to time. Please note that the inclusion of named

agencies, companies, products, services or publications in this information

guide does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Age UK.

Please seek medical advice for guidance regarding the seasonal flu jab.

It is particularly important to seek such advice if you suffer from an ongoing

medical condition that may be affected by having the flu jab.

Age UK is the new force combiningAge Concern and Help the Aged.

With almost 120 years of combinedhistory to draw on, we are bringingtogether our talents, servicesand solutions to do more to enrichthe lives of people in later life.


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1 Winter wrapped up

ContentsIntroduction 2

Preparing or winter 3

Staying healthy 6

Keep warm indoors and out 8

Keeping your home warm 9

Heating your home 10

Spread the Warmth this winter with Age UK 12

Can you help? 13

Useul organisations 14

British Gas has been working with Age UK (as Help the Aged)

or 11 years on a range o initiatives or people in later lie.Over 27m in additional beneits are being claimed by older

people through our Beneits Advice Programme; over 10,000

homes have received HandyVan services and Sae at Home

packs through our Here to HELP programme. We are proud

to be able to continue our sponsorship.


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3 Winter wrapped up2 Winter wrapped up

whatnext?

IntroductionWinter isnt everyones avourite season and theres nodoubt that the cold weather can be a worry or those ous in later lie. But with a little preparation, and by ollowingsome simple suggestions, we can help ourselves to stayhealthy, sae and as comortable as possible this winter.This lealet explains what you can do to get yoursel and

your home ready or winter, as well as where to go orurther inormation and support.

You will ind suggestions or organisations that can give

urther inormation and advice: or contact details seeUseul organisations (pages 1416). Contact details ororganisations near you can usually be ound in your localphone book, and your local Age UK/Age Concern* shouldbe able to help (see page 14).

As ar as possible, the inormation in this guide is applicableacross the UK.

Key

This symbol indicates who to contactfor the next steps you need to take.

Preparing for winterGetting ready or the cold weather which can startas early as October means you are more likely to keepwarm and well this winter. Heres a list o things you cando to help ward o the winter chills:

Have your heating system serviced and chimney swept.

I you have wood-burning, coal or gas heaters make sure you have adequate ventilation.

Check with your energy supplier or urther advice

to help you prepare or winter.Check your water stopcock is working properly.

Have your electric blanket serviced this shouldbe done at least every three years.

Make sure your smoke alarm is working.

Make sure you claim all the inancial support youcan to help with heating bills. Your local Age UK/Age Concern can advise you.

Be sure you have some warm shoes or bootswith non-slip soles.

Keep a mixture o salt and sand handy to puton steps or paths in icy weather.

Keep simple cold, lu and sore throat remedies in

the house. Your pharmacist can make suggestionsand can also advise on how to manage minor illnesses.

Follow up your GPs invitation to have a lu jab.

Order repeat prescriptions in plenty o time, particularlyi bad weather is orecast.

Keep basic ood items in the cupboard or reezerin case its too cold to go shopping.

I you smoke, think about trying to stop.*Many local Age Concerns are changing their name to Age UK.


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Mary was worried about how shewould manage at home whenher heating stopped working.

Ive lived in my house or the last30 years and, while I love it here,it can get cold and draughtyin winter. Im usually fne withan extra jumper and hot-water

bottle, but last January myheating stopped working.I called the council to tell themI was reezing cold, but theysaid it might be two weeks beoresomeone came out to check myheating. I was starting to panicabout how Id manage, whenmy neighbour suggested I callour local Age Concern to seei they could do anything.

I gave them a ring and the manI spoke to arranged or a portableheater to be sent round the sameday. It was such a relie. I usedit in my lounge, which meant Ididnt have to stay in bed all dayto stay warm.

It was so cold that I dont know

how I would have survived i AgeConcern hadnt given me a heater.I called back to say thank you, andthe lady who answered gave medetails o some grant schemesthat could help to insulate myhome. Next winter Ill be prepared I wont have to dread the coldweather again.

I was starting to panic abouthow Id manage, when my

neighbour suggested I callour local Age Concern.

Mystory


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Staying healthyCold weather means the beginning o the lu season andcan cause particular diiculties i you have breathing andcirculation problems. To help you stay well, its importantto keep warm at home and outdoors, ollow as healthya liestyle as you can and have a lu jab.

Stay movingKeeping active generates heat and helps to keep you warm.Its good or general itness and wellbeing too. So when

youre indoors, try not to sit still or more than an hour.

Get up and walk around, make yoursel a warm drink, andspread any chores throughout the day. Chair-based exercisesand simply moving your arms and legs and wiggling yourtoes are helpul i walking is diicult.

Eat well

Hot meals and drinks help keep you warm, so eat at leastone hot meal and have hot drinks during the day. Includea good range o oods in your diet and aim or ive portionso ruit and vegetables each day so that youre getting plentyo nutrients and vitamins. Remember that rozen vegetablesare as good as resh. Having a hot drink beore bed andkeeping a hot drink in a lask by the bed are good ideas too.

Have a seasonal flu jab

I youre over 65 be sure to have a seasonal lu jab. Seasonallu viruses are always changing, so you need to have a jabevery year, using the latest vaccine. Flu is not only unpleasantbut it can develop into pneumonia, which can be serious.

A lu jab is also recommended i youre under 65 with acondition such as diabetes, a chronic heart, lung, kidneyor liver problem, have Parkinsons or have had a stroke.

Check youve had a pneumo jabThe pneumo (or pneumococcal) jab is a one-o jab thathelps protect you against pneumonia, meningitis andsepticaemia. Ask your GP about it i youre over 65 andhavent had one.

Give up smokingThis is a good thing or your overall health. I you have alung condition, youll quickly notice your breathing is easierand doing any exercise is more comortable. Ask at yourGP practice about NHS services to help you give up.

Protect yourself against chilblainsChilblains are itchy, red swellings that occur when your skingets cold and you try to warm up too quickly, oten by sittingclose to the radiator. Your eet, ingers, nose and earlobesare particularly vulnerable. You may also be susceptible tochilblains i you have circulation problems. Dab the swellingswith calamine or witch hazel to reduce itching, but dontscratch them as this could cause an inection.

To help prevent chilblains, keep your whole body warm atall times there are helpul tips on the pages that ollow.Wear trousers, socks or thick tights and a scar, hat andgloves when out in the cold. Speak to your pharmacist oradvice on treating chilblains and to your GP i you get themregularly or have diabetes.

Keep your spirits upIts not unusual to eel a bit down in winter - particularlywhen the days are short and it gets dark by 4pm. Try tokeep to your usual routines and, i you cant visit riends,make sure you phone them regularly or a chat. It helpsto do something you enjoy every day. I you eel down orseveral weeks and its stopping you going out, making youeel listless and lacking in energy, its very important to sharethese eelings with someone, perhaps a riend or your GP.


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Keep warm indoors and outSeveral thin layers o clothing will keep you warmer than

one thick layer, as the layers trap warm air. Clothes maderom wool, cotton and leecy synthetic ibres are a goodchoice. Start with thermal underwear, warm tights orsocks, and always wear gloves and a hat when you go out.

I you are sitting down, a shawl or blanket will provide a loto warmth. Try to keep your eet up, as the air is cooler atground level.

Wear warm clothes in bed. When very cold, wear thermal

underwear, bed socks and even a hat a lot o heat is lostthrough your head!

Use a hot-water bottle or an electric blanket to warm thebed, but never use the two together as this can be verydangerous. Check whether your electric blanket can bekept on all night or whether it is only designed to warmthe bed beore you get in. Get it checked every three years.I you have any continence diiculties, talk to your doctorbeore using one.

Dont sit or stand outside or long periods, as youllquickly get cold.

Choose boots with non-slip soles and a warm liningor wear thermal socks. This keeps your eet warmand keeps you sae i the ground is slippery.

Keep steps and paths ree o ice. Sprinkle them witha mixture o salt and sand i the ground is icy. Consideritting a grab rail i you have several steps at your rontor back door. Ask your local Age UK/Age Concern ormore inormation.

Check local news and weather orecasts or advicewhen bad weather is orecast, or visit the Met Oicewebsite at www.metoice.gov.uk

Keeping your home warmMost o us spend a lot o time indoors in winter, so itsimportant that you are comortable and sae.

The recommended temperature or rooms you useduring the day is 21C (70F), but you might be morecomortable heating your rooms at a higher temperature.Its so important to keep warm as you are at risk ohypothermia i youre exposed to a cold environmentor a long time, or to extreme cold or only a short time.

Get to know how the timer and thermostat on yourheating system work. I its very cold, set the timer toswitch the heating on earlier rather than turning thethermostat up to warm your house quickly.

Close the curtains and it thermal linings i you can.This will keep the heat in.

Put guards on open ires, and be careul not to hangwashing too close to the ire.

Dont block up air vents as ires and heaters needventilation. Good ventilation also helps to preventcondensation.


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Heating your homeHeating your home is easier and cheaper i it is well insulatedand your central heating works properly.

Have your heating system serviced each year and checkits working beore the cold weather starts. Gas heatingmust be serviced by a Gas Saety Registered engineer.

Draught-proo doors and windows, insulate the lot andlag the hot-water tank and pipes. This helps keep yourhouse warm and bills down. You may be able to get

inancial help to do this. The Energy Saving Trust canadvise you (see page 14).

Grants rom the government and energy suppliers tohelp heat and insulate your home may be available i

you are over 60. Grants can be awarded to cover a rangeo energy-eiciency and heating improvements to yourhome. There may be a waiting list to get the work doneand eligibility in some cases is means-tested. Warm Frontoperates in England but similar schemes operate inWales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (see page 16).

Contact your energy supplier i you are having troublepaying your bills. Companies should not disconnectall-pensioner households during winter months.Also ask about their Priority Service Register or olderand disabled people, and i you are eligible or reeenergy eiciency and insulation.

Most people over Pension Credit age are entitled tothe Winter Fuel Payment to help with heating costs.Previous recipients should get the payment automaticallybut i you have not been eligible beore, contact theWinter Fuel Payment Helpline (see page 16).

I you receive Pension Credit or certain other beneits,you are automatically paid an extra cold weather paymentwhen the temperature is at reezing or below or sevendays in a row. Make sure you claim all beneits you areentitled to. Contact your local Age UK/Age Concern toarrange a beneits check (see page 14).

See our free guides Claiming benefits: a guide for peopleover State Pension age andClaiming benefits: a guidefor people of working age for more information.

whatnext?

Heating your homeis easier and cheaperif it is well insulatedand your central heatingworks properly.


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Spread the Warmththis winter with Age UKWinter can be especially hard or many older people. Age UKhas launched a campaign called Spread the Warmth, whichaims to tackle the problems that winter brings and makeit easier or thousands o older people in need to manageduring the colder months.

Some older people ind it diicult to pay their heating billsand keep their homes warm enough. They are having to make

diicult choices between daily basics like heating and eating.Age UK believes that this must change.

But Spread the Warmth is about more than helping withuel bills and warm clothes. We all struggle to get out andabout when the weather takes a turn or the worse, and itcan be particularly diicult or people who are disabled,in poor health or lonely. Many older people become isolatedand more vulnerable.

We want to make winter better or older people peoplewho may otherwise have nowhere to turn. Age UK, supportedby British Gas, is providing specialist inormation and advice,such as this booklet. Working with our partners, we are alsodelivering practical services like home visits, beriending,emergency grants, and inormation and advice. We will reachover 350,000 people this winter who desperately need ourhelp to keep warm, healthy and in touch with others.

Can you help?Our work relies on donations. Every penny raised will helpAge UK to spread the warmth and will make all the dierenceto many thousands o people in later lie. To ind out morevisit www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk/donate or see the backpage o this booklet.

Just 5 unds an adviser rom the Age UK Advice line to helpan older person in need, or their carer or relative. The advisercould give someone the inormation they need to keepwarm, explaining the beneits they can claim to help with

heating bills and making their home comortable in winter.

Or, working with local partners, 5 could help cover the costo providing warm clothes, a blanket or transport to a localday centre, oering support and companionship or an olderperson in need o assistance.

Just 5 funds an adviserfrom the Age UK Adviceline to help an older personin need, or their careror relative.


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Gas Safety RegisterYou can check i an engineer is on the register by visitingthe website: www.gassaeregister.co.uk

I you suspect a gas leak call 0800 111 999 (ree call)in England, Scotland, Wales) or 0800 002 001 (ree call)in Northern Ireland.

Home Heat HelplineProvides advice or people having diiculty paying theiruel bills. It oers advice on cheaper payment schemes,grants or insulating homes, how to get on to the Priority

Services Register or extra services and inormation onextra government beneits.

Tel: 0800 33 66 99 (ree call)www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

Met OfficeCheck your local weather orecast and get adviceon managing in severe weather conditions.

www.metoice.gov.uk

NHS ChoicesProvides inormation about NHS services, healthyliving and health conditions.

www.nhs.ukIn Wales, visit www.wales.nhs.uk.In Scotland, visit www.nhs24.com

Useful organisationsAge UK

Age UK is the new orce combining Age Concernand Help the Aged. We provide advice and inormationor people in later lie through our Age UK Advice linepublications and online.

Age UK Advice: 0800 169 65 65www.ageuk.org.uk

In Wales, contact

Age Cymru: 0800 169 65 65www.agecymru.org.uk

In Scotland, contactAge Scotland: 0845 125 9732www.agescotland.org.uk

In Northern Ireland, contactAge NI: 0808 808 7575www.ageni.org.uk

DirectgovIncludes advice on taking care o yoursel in winter

www.direct.gov.uk

Energy Saving TrustCall 0800 512 012 to be put through to your nearest centre.

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk


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16 Winter wrapped up

NHS DirectNHS 24-hour helpline or advice i you eel unwell.

Call 0845 4647 i you live in England or Wales.Call 08454 42424 i you live in Scotland (NHS 24).

Warm FrontProvides grants or insulation and heating improvementsor people in England.

Tel: 0800 316 2805www.warmront.co.uk

Similar schemes run across the UK:

I you live in Wales, contact the Home EnergyEiciency Scheme (HEES):

Tel: 0800 316 2815www.heeswales.co.uk

I you live in Scotland, contact the Energy Assistance Package:

Tel: 0800 512 012www.energyassistancepackage.com

I you live in Northern Ireland, contact Warm Homes:

Tel: 0800 988 0559www.warm-homes.com

Winter Fuel Payment helplineTel: 0845 9 15 15 15

Notes


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We will use the inormation you have supplied to communicate with you in line with Data Protection guidelines.Age UK (registered charity no 1128267) comprises the Charity, its group o companies and national par tners(Age Cymru, Age Scotland and Age NI). I you would preer not to hear rom them or careully selected thirdparties, let us know by phoning 0800 107 8977.

Can you help Spread the Warmth?Please complete the donation orm below with a git o whatever

you can aord and return to: Age UK, FREEPOST LON13041, PO Box 203,London N1 9BR. Alternatively, you can phone 0800 169 80 80 or visitwww.spreadthewarmth.org.uk/donate. I you preer, you can donatedirectly to one o our national or local partners. Thank you.

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the our years prior to this year, and all donations I make rom the date o this declaration until I notiy you

otherwise, as git aid donations. I conirm I pay an amount o income tax and/or capital gains tax at leastequal to the tax that the charity will reclaim on my donations in the tax year. Date: / /(please complete). *Age Cymru, Age Scotland and Age NI

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AgeUKIG27 Winter Wrapped Up Inf

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