Tips for keeping our elderly community safe this winter
Published: 22/12/2022
According to statistics, Senior neighbours are the most vulnerable. In England and Wales, it was estimated there were 50,100* winter deaths which is the highest record since 1975/76 winter.
At right at home over the years we have observed many clients making decisions such as turning the heating off to try and save money, or not wearing enough warm clothes, which have had a negative impact on their health.
Clients with Dementia and Alzheimer’s can be even more vulnerable when it comes to the winter months. Forgetting to turn the heating or fire on, not wrapping up efficiently in the cold weather.
And in some of the worst cases, they’ve been found wandering around outside in just a nightie.
Here at Right At Home South Trafford we take an extremely professional approach to vulnerable clients during the winter months. As caring neighbours, you can also make a difference. We have five tips to help you and others support the elderly community during these harsh months.
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For the elderly If you can regularly check in to see if they are warm and safe making sure they have enough appropriate clothing to keep warm. A good idea would be to check if their cupboards are well stocked with plenty of food and if the overall house temperature is warm.
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If make the effort to go round once in a while and say hello it can potentially temporarily relieve them from loneliness but this could also be a way of making sure they are living in a comfortable temperature.
- If your elderly neighbour has windows that are creating drafts in your home so long as your relationship with them is close perhaps offer to insulate the gaps in the windows. This can be done fairly easily by adding strips of sealing tape, or a sticky-backed film (even bubble wrap) to a window
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When you are out and about trying to observe people around you. Some questions you may ask are. Are the elderly dressed adequately for the cold weather? If you shake their hand, are they ice-cold? If you feel like you can spare some time, dropping off spare gloves and hats at a local charity shop could make a world of difference.
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Being out in Icy conditions can be dangerous for everyone, especially the elderly. If you see someone struggling to walk in these conditions lend them a hand. And if they fall try calling for help and under no circumstance should you try lifting them up.
More Information About Cold Weather Safety
For additional information about how to shield elders from cold weather complications, Mark Beeby directs people to contact the following public agencies: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/news/articles/2021/20211123-Scheme-will-help-keep-vulnerable-Trafford-residents-warm-this-winter.aspx
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cold-weather-alert-issued-by-ukhsa
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/cold-weather-alerts
https://www.england.nhs.uk/2022/12/cold-weather-alert-level-3-6/
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/
https://westlothianhscp.org.uk/article/29222/Helping-Vulnerable-People-During-Severe-Weather
https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/look-out-vulnerable-temperatures-drop-councils-urge
About Right at Home South Trafford
Right at Home South Trafford is a locally-owned office of the Right at Home UK network, serving the communities of [insert communities you serve]. For more information, contact Mark Beeby, owner of Right at Home South Trafford at https://www.rightathome.co.uk/southtrafford/, 01619052888 or by email at mark.beeby@rightathome.co.uk.
About Right at Home UK
Right at Home UK is a homecare franchise, with each local office independently owned and operated. Local teams offer homecare and assistance to elderly and disabled adults who want to continue living independently, in their own homes. We are the only homecare provider to maintain a 9.8/10 score on the independent review site www.homecare.co.uk. Caregiving staff are thoroughly screened and trained prior to entering a client’s home.
For more information about Right at Home UK, please visit: https://www.rightathome.co.uk/southtrafford/
