Worried about keeping warm this winter?
Millions of pensioners in the UK are worried about how they will keep warm at home this winter as fuel bills relentlessly rise, according to the charity Age UK.
New research launched to mark the start of the charity's Spread the Warmth winter campaign claims that over 3 million people aged 65 and over are concerned about how they will keep warm in the winter months, while nearly six million are worried about the increasing costs of energy bills.
The winter can be harrowingly difficult for thousands of older people with the ever-increasing cost of energy bills adding to worries about being able to keep warm and well this winter, the charity said.
Cold temperatures can be very dangerous to older people’s health as they not only increase the likelihood and severity of flu, chest infections and other respiratory problems, but they also raise blood pressure which puts people at greater risk of heart attacks and strokes.
"It’s vital for older people to keep warm, both inside and outside their homes in the winter months. Being cold, even for just a short amount of time can be very dangerous as it increases the risk of associated health problems and preventable deaths during the winter," said Caroline Abrahams, Age UK's charity director.
"Through our Spread the Warmth campaign, we are calling on everyone to recognise the importance of staying warm and well this winter and to think about older friends, neighbours and relatives as the temperature drops. Local Age UKs are providing range of services across the winter months."
The charity's new research claims that whilst many older people are worried about staying warm at home, many are unaware of the severe health implications of being cold. Almost a quarter (22 per cent) of older people don’t realise that a number of serious health problems are made worse or brought on by the cold, and this rose to 29 per cent amongst people aged 80 and over. Less than one in 10 people aged 65 and over in the UK are aware that strokes can be brought on by the cold in winter, with only 14 per cent recognising that the cold can impact on heart attacks.
There are a number of reasons for cold related illness and mortality from poorly insulated homes to sustained low indoor temperatures, the charity added. Living room temperatures should ideally be kept at 70F (21C) and above, whereas bedroom temperatures should be kept at a minimum of 64F (18C). However, Age UK’s research shows that over 80 per cent of older people didn’t know the ideal living room and bedroom temperatures.
During the Spread the Warmth campaign, Age UK and its local and national partners will be working to help older people keep warm and well throughout the winter in a number of ways, including through winter benefit checks and handyperson services.
They will also provide hot nutritious meals at local lunch clubs as well as home visits and friendly telephone calls through befriending services for those who may feel isolated.
Age UK is urging older people and their friends and family to be prepared this winter and it’s also calling on MPs of all parties to support investment to boost the energy efficiency of older people's homes and help them keep warm.
For further information click here www.ageuk.org.uk