Don't catch a cold this winter!
09/02/2007
As the UK shivers in the grip of snow and frost, older people in this country are reported as fearing the cold more than in Sweden - which has a much colder climate.
And they are four times more likely to avoid heating rooms like their bedroom, bathroom or living room, and are more worried about being able to afford their fuel bills this winter.
That's why Help the Aged and British Gas are giving away Thermometers which have "keep warm" tips on the back. Spokesperson Sean Martindill said: “Medical evidence shows that when room temperatures fall below 16° centigrade older people can become susceptible to preventable cold related illnesses. The thermometers are an easy way to keep an eye on the temperatures in your home and we urge all older people to ask for one in our shops.”
The tips include:
Sleep with your windows closed – cold air on the head at night has been shown to increase blood pressure. Research by British Gas and Help the Aged reveals that in some UK regions nearly half of all older people believe that leaving a window at night is healthy, despite medical evidence to the contrary.
Keep moving – any activity - even vacuuming gets circulation going and makes you feel warmer.
Insulate your home – double glazing, loft and cavity wall insulation are all good means of trapping warmth in the home. You could also hang a thick curtain on front and back doors and use draught-proofing strips.
Help The Aged are also campaigning for:
• Free central heating and insulation for all older people- as is the current practice in Scotland
• Raising the Winter Fuel Payment or the Basic State Pension to take account of rising costs of living older people face, including the increase in fuel costs.
• More investment in new technologies for homes. Currently 50 per cent of UK homes occupied by 'fuel poor' people do not have cavity walls or live in solid wall dwellings.
The tips can also be found at the Help the Aged website, the link below where there is also a downloadable version of the Partnership’s "The cold can kill" pack, which includes telephone numbers of lines that can advise on applying for home heating.
The thermometers are available from Help The Aged and British Gas shops.