Keep warm, keep well this winter

The Keep warm Keep well booklets contain useful tips on heating and preparing for winter, financial support and staying healthy during winter.they are available from gp practices, pharmacies, nhs walk-in centres, hospitals, care homes, benefit offices and voluntary organisations.

Information on the Keep Warm Keep Well campaign is available at: http://keepwarmkeepwell.direct.gov.uk/index.html 

Further information and a link to the factsheet on winter warmth is available at: www.dh.gov.uk/en/socialcare/deliveringadultsocialcare/olderpeople/dh_4076849

The Department of Health website has useful information about supporting vulnerable groups:

www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/ Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_087955

Cold weather, especially extreme cold, can be dangerous for everyone.

According to the government there are over 25,000 excess deaths each winter in this country, many of which are preventable. Preventative action taken at this stage can greatly benefit vulnerable groups during the cold weather.

Who is at risk?

Some people are more at risk of becoming ill during cold weather. A number of factors can determine who is more vulnerable during winter:

• older people – especially people who are over 75 years old
• children and young people – particularly children with respiratory problems, such as asthma
• chronic and severe illness – including heart conditions, respiratory insufficiency, asthma and copd (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• fuel poverty – over 75% of those who cannot afford to adequately heat their homes are adults living alone
• inability to adapt behaviour to keep warm – this affects people with disabilities, babies and the very young
• environment and overexposure – such as homelessness, or living in a cold, damp home with poor or inadequate heating and insulation

Action

Being prepared and planning ahead for winter conditions can include the following:

• wrap up well when going outdoors;
• maintain the right temperature in your home (max temp is 18-21°C);
• close curtains and shut doors to keep heat in the rooms used most;
• use hot water bottles or electric blankets (but never both together) if the bedroom is cold at night;
• eat and drink well – food is a vital source of warmth;
• get financial help for heating your home through available grants;
• have a ‘flu jab;
• try and arrange for someone to visit high-risk individuals who live alone at least once a day;
• older people, people with chronic or serious illness or mobility problems, or those living in hard-to-heat accommodation, may need extra care and support.

Contacts

If you need help, or know a vulnerable person who might need help, then please contact either Help Direct on 0303 333 1111 or social care services on 0300 123 6720.