General Chat

Does anyone have any tips for old people to keep warm in winter. I have a couple of neighbours nearby and they are terrified of winter coming and not being able to afford to put the heating on.

Any advice gratefully received.

Must just pop their shopping over to them so will reply in about half an hour.

Thank you
Pat

Just a few suggestions, some of which others may disagree with. But at least it will start the ball rolling!

Keep the heating on low at all times as it stops the building lossing all of the heat. They could possibly shut off the radiators in unused rooms.

Get some one more able to check for draughts and fit excluders. But they must make sure there is some ventilation!

Wear a number of thin layers rather than one or 2 thick ones. Thermal undies - M&S stock them, sometimes with the skiwear. Damart used to sell them by catalogue. Are they still around?

Fingerless mittens, thermal socks?

Eat hot meals, carbohydrates etc (obviously balanced meals)

umm, umm can't think of others. It's difficult without knowing how much they can spend etc, or how moblie they are. Possibly they could use a small electric free standing fire, but there is always the danger of the less moblie tripping over the leads or falling onto it.

Good ones DET, Matalan used to sell thermal underwear as I have bought them.

Keep one room warm and the others low and ticking over. Shut off radiators in unused rooms (heat from round the house will stop freezing).

Bed socks and don't laugh a woolly hat especially if bald - a lot of heat is lost through top of head. Use a hot water bottle (not just at bedtime), wrap a small blanket/shawl around lap and legs.

For ladies buy a couple of pairs of mens socks then reach nearly to knees (won't see them if you wear slacks and if not, who cares.

Boiling kettle - fill up thermos flask with water for next time.

Det and Chris thank you very much for your really good tips. They6 are two little old ladies in their early eighties and like a lot of old people of that age have never been in debt so hence the worry re bills.

I think maybe the electric fire could be a bit of a danger re wires etc but the other suggestions are great.

The one lady has no family at all and the other one has a son living in Australia.

Thank you
Pat

Hi Pat.

Do the ladies have a electric blanket??? These would maintain the body temp during the night. Wheatie bags are good aswell, can be heated up in the microwave for a few mins.

Lisa
Don't know if they have electric blankets I will ask. Wheatie bags good idea thanks

If they have access to a slow cooker.a nice stew or soup kept at the ready. **M**>

Pat am not being nosey but are they
receiving all benefits due to them?

Emmax

My daughter bought me a 'thing' like a hooded blanket, for Christmas . We had a laugh about it but nevertheless I wrapped it round me when I was watching the tv in the evening,as I found the weather really cold last year. I used it at her house when I visited because they always seem warmer than me and don't have the heating as high.......and they can laugh......I don't care-JLe

Hot water bottles in your bed ....

Please be careful leaving heats on all the time as last year a elderly friend burnt out a socket...we have now had them all checked

Banckets
wear layers
IF you are WORRIED about yourself and the cold GET HELP..even the silliest problem becomes huge when you are cold and you then begin to panic ..best to get help sooner than later

If they receive benefit of any kind but I think it now covers anyone over 70 irrespective of income, free loft insultation, draught proofing - check with your local council.

Are they close enough and able enough to take turns cooking a hot meal each day?

Add to that cavity insulation. Over seventies. I goggled grants for keeping warm - tells you all. Stay away from hot bottles heated in micro - several accidents reported with them last winter. Likewise electric blankets - not all are for keeping on all night.
Hot bottle and extra duvet/eiderdown/blankets much safer.

Sorry added twice so deleted this one

I bought my mum in law one of those blanket/shawl things and she wears it when sitting still watching TV in evenings.

My mum keeps a spare single duvet downstairs behing the settee, because she takes couple of naps during the daytimes and finds this a real treat - she can pull it over herself easily as it's lightweight, and warms her up in a tic.!

K

I would be very wary of advising them to use wheaties in the microwave, they are very easy to overheat. Make sure they have all drafts stopped up but if they have gas indoors i.e. a gas boiler, make sure it has been checked and get them a (I think sometimes free from the fire brigade) carbon monoxide (I think) alarm.
A light throw to put over their knees in the evening would be good.

I would recommend stick to the "old school" stuff as Nan used to say. Blankets, extra layers, hot drinks and plenty of soups and stews. Thermos are good to take round to elderly neighbours who are limited with mobility as the won't need to keep going into kitchen to make a cuppa and we usually make extra soup and take it round in a crock. I would avoid heaters, hot water bottles and microwaveable gadgets. But yes find out what they may need and what they maybe enitled too damp proofing, double glazing and insulation etc now should be right time to get stuff done before cold sets in.

edit meant to put remember ventalation when considering other issues.

edit two check smoke alarms and other health and safety issues on their behalf some have warden control (make sure it is working) others do not so make sure their phone is close by and they can access your number (and others) easily.

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions as usual you came up trumps.
I am going to take my son over to check re draughtproofing, lagging and loft insulation etc and then we can check for grants, if they need anything.

I think maybe it's better if they don't have electric blankets as they might not remember to turn them off. So hot water bottles, blankets and duvets are maybe better plus maybe a night cap and bed socks.

I shall put all your suggestions to them.

Golden girl 1

They say they have their pension but don't have pension credit (think it's charity) so I will try to persuade them to apply for this treading cautiously of course. No you are not being nosey.

Thank yo all again you have been a real help.

Pat will apologies for delay ( I shut my hand in the door)

Have a look at the Help the Aged/Age Concern website

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

There is a phone number who may be able to put you/them in contact locally for knowledgeble advice about benefits, grants etc.

0800 169 6565

Hats off to you for taking your neighbours under your wing.

Hi Pat,
A lot of elderly people tend to think it's charity and won't apply for pension credit. Maybe you could have a word with your local 'Help the aged' and explain to them. They are really good at helping to sort these sorts of worries out. They might pay them a visit just to make sure they are getting what they are entitled to. xxx

if they earn less than £13.000 a year they can rng there gas and electric company and asked to be put on the social tarrif, for people with a low income, most people dont know about this tarrif as its not advertised, xxx