Advice on staying warm and safe this winter

As we say goodbye to the warm months of summer, it is easy to forget that cold weather can be difficult to navigate for vulnerable and elderly individuals.

It is important to implement a few small changes to your routine that can make all the difference moving through winter. We have come up with a few easy-to-follow tips which can help to keep you and your loved ones warm and safe.

Preparing for winter

Colder weather will inevitably bring ice and maybe even snow, for individuals who may struggle with mobility, the ice can become a formidable obstacle for everyday tasks.

Here are our tips to reduce unnecessary risks:

• Food: We recommend a small stock of frozen and canned foods just in case you are unable to leave your home. It is important to have access to easy-to-prepare, warm food and drinks.

• Vaccinations: Ensure you are up to date on all flu vaccinations to reduce the risk of illness for yourself and your loved ones. If you aren’t sure whether you need the flu vaccine, you can check by calling your GP or using the NHS website.

• Heating: Before winter becomes too harsh, check that your heating works, plumbers are often overrun with boiler calls through the colder months, so you may experience significant delays and charges if something goes wrong.

• Clothing: In the Summer things like scarves, gloves and woolly hats tend to disappear in the back of cupboards and drawers. Have a look around for your winter clothing so you have time to replace anything you may need.

• Mental health: With days becoming shorter and darker and social meetings being harder to attend, it is important to keep yourself in high spirits. We recommend having a think about hobbies and activities you can easily do inside while keeping warm such as arts and crafts, games and reading.

• Seeking support: Some people may need some extra support through the winter months but are completely independent once the weather gets warmer. Consider your needs and whether you would like to receive home care visits to help support you through the cold weather.

Help and advice

Bluebird Care
Contact Bluebird Care to find home care and live-in care services throughout the winter months. If you aren’t sure whether you need care, you can arrange a free care assessment by contacting us today.
Click here to contact us.

Citizens Advice
Your local bureau will be able to give you advice on benefits, heating, grants and debt. 
Look under ‘C’ in the Yellow Pages or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk for more information.

The Home Heat Helpline
This is a free national helpline offering access to grants for free home insulation and reduced or ‘social’ tariffs from energy suppliers, as well as advice on managing your bills and reducing your energy use.

Call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 (9am–5.30pm Mon–Fri,) or visit  www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

Age UK
Age UK offers advice and information for people in later life on a range of issues including welfare and disability benefits, health and social care and housing. Local Age UK branches are independent charities which offer a variety of services, including:

• Benefit checks

• Exercise and social activities

• Lunch clubs and day centres.

For free information or contact details for your local Age UK branch, call Age UK Advice on 0800 169 6565 (8am–7pm, seven days a week). Or you can visit www.ageuk.org.uk