General Chat

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

An easy to read room thermometer is a must so it can see when the temp drops and more heat is needed or movement may be benificial.

footwarmers are a good thing.

Hello. Not been on here for some time but, would love to add to this thread. How lovely of you Pat to care so much for elderly neighbours, we do that it on area.
I also would like to say that I have bought the blankets with a hood on to keep warm during the very cold winter we had and they are very good, they also have very wide sleeves in them so they can still have their hot soups and cups of tea etc etc while in them.
Also socks on with slippers to keep the feet warm.
I do hope that you can sort out the draughts and the other things that the very elderly can have done for them.
Thank goodness they have you as a neighbour. Well done. xx

If it's possible, check they are not over-paying for their electricity/gas. They can save a lot of money if their account is on-line (no paper bills) but, obviously, someone needs to do that for them if they have no computer. Also, a lot of elec/gas companies have heavily discounted rates for OAP's but they need to apply (or someone needs to apply for them).

Close all curtains around the house (not just where they are at the time) at dusk and leave them closed until it's daylight.

If they have a kitchen/diner and put the oven on to cook a meal, leave the oven door open whilst eating. They have paid for that heat, they may as well use it but remember to close the door when they start moving around again.

I agree with the duvet too. Especially in the evenings when watching TV although those hooded blankets sound good - I may try one.

Well done for looking after elderly neighbours.

I would echo what Ann has said about the wheat bags. They are wonderful and easy to use, but take care on the length of time they are heated and that they do dry out.

I went to heat my Mum-in-law's wheat bag and found that there was a burnt hole and very blackened lump of the contents. I think she had heated it too long.

They do need the moisture reviving after a time, or more sensibly replaced.

i think old people should have a cat
they dont go cold during the night like a hot water bottle

and are company when they are on their own

When heating wheatsack I always put cup half full of water in micro too. This was the instruction when we bought the first one long time ago.