Keep warm, properly
- Aim to keep the main living room at around 18°C or a bit warmer
- Heat the bedroom before bed, and keep a hot water bottle or electric blanket to hand (check electric blankets are in good condition)
- Layers are warmer than one thick jumper
- Keep curtains closed once it's dark
If energy bills are a worry, ask about help from your energy supplier or contact Citizens Advice for an energy check. Check whether Pension Credit could be claimed too, as it opens the door to other support.
Get the jabs
Flu and COVID vaccines are offered free to older people each autumn. Many GP surgeries and pharmacies around Bridgwater and Minehead offer them. If getting to an appointment is hard, a carer can help with the trip.
Stock up before the weather turns
Flooding on the Levels and snow on Exmoor can cut off villages for a day or two. It's worth keeping:
- A week's supply of medication
- Tins, long-life milk and frozen meals
- A torch with fresh batteries (rather than candles)
- Important phone numbers written on paper, in case a mobile dies
If you live in a flood-prone area, sign up to the Environment Agency's free flood warnings.
Watch for the quiet warning signs
Cold affects older people in ways that aren't always obvious. Cold hands, drowsiness, slurred speech or confusion can be early signs of a body getting too cold. Chest infections can also creep up slowly.
This is where our Health & Wellbeing Checks earn their keep in winter. During routine visits, carers can check temperature, pulse, breathing and oxygen levels using NHS-recognised scoring tools, and contact the local health team early if something is changing. For families who live further away, that's real peace of mind.
Don't let the dark days get lonely
Fewer people stop by in winter. Bus trips get cancelled and the garden is out of bounds. A weekly companionship visit for a chat, a cuppa and a look at the post can make a big difference to someone's mood.
How we plan for winter
Before the cold sets in, we review everyone we support. We look at who lives alone, who's on a lane that floods, and who would be most at risk if a visit was delayed. Those people are prioritised if the weather makes travel difficult.
If you're worried about someone this winter, call us on 01278 488799 or pop into the office at 6-8 Monmouth Street, Bridgwater.
