Setting the temperature

It is tempting for people to reduce the use of their heating to save on cost. Temperatures below 12C and above 24C have potential health risks. A cold house is a risk to health, it increases the risk of flu, chest infections, breathing problems and raised blood pressure- this increases the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Keep the home at a steady comfortable temperature. Age UK recommend rooms that are most in use are heated to a temperautre of 21C. Other rooms keep at 18C. Rooms that are not in use, it may be worth closing the door and keeping the heating on low, or off altogether. It is useful to close curtains at dusk to keep heat inside the home.

The elderly and vulnerable are less able to regulate their body temperature and are less likely to detect when they are feeling cold. So be mindful when heating their home using their comfort level as a guidance.

Whilst setting the temperatures of the home, be mindful of their activity level. It is not to say that rooms must be set at 21C/18C and no more or no less. If they are inactive during the day, this temperature may need adjusting.

Heating systems

Get familiar with the heating system, does it have a timer? Are there individual thermostats? Do the heaters have temperature controls on them? It is worth going around the home and check their heating system, set them to the right temperature, ensuring the timers are correct (as it gets colder, consider setting them to come on slightly earlier.)

• Sudden changes in temperature can cause health problems. So keep the heating stable and avoid turning the temperature up and down
• Avoid sleeping with the window open, breathing in cold air will lower the body’s temperature and can lead to chest infections

• Wear layers- several thin layers are better than one thick item of clothing. Start with thermal layers, or tights and woollen socks if you don’t have thermals. This also can apply to bedtime too for those who are prone to getting cold in the night. Consider those who may need support dressing and undressing- if they get warm, outer layers that are easier to remove are helpful. 
• Blankets are a useful and cosy layer to keep warm, these are also easier to remove for those who have reduced mobility/ability to undress themselves if too warm.
• The air is cooler at ground level, try and keep warm with woollen socks, slippers and even blankets if necessary. Where possible, raise the feet off the ground.
• Try to keep moving, encourage those you support to move around the house where possible, every hour is helpful. If they are not as mobile, even moving their arms and legs or wiggling their toes can help to keep them warm.

• Hot water bottles, heat bags, electric blankets are all useful when sitting down or in bed. But never use an electric blanket in conjunction with a hot water bottle. Ensure to check the electric blanket to check it is safe to use over-night, some have timers whilst some are not designed to be used all through the night.
• Eat!! Eating hot food and having warm drinks is a great way to encourage them to keep warm whilst maintaining a healthy weight. We can all find any excuse to pop the kettle on! Not eating enough means they are at risk of becoming underweight, then it makes it harder to keep warm and fight infections. Whilst a balanced and healthy meal is ideal, even a slice of cake or some biscuits is better than nothing at all. For those who are safe to do so, ensuring they have a flask of a hot drink at bedtime is useful for a warm boost during the night.