Spread the Warmth to Stop Older People from Suffering
- 19 Nov
Age UK are calling on people to remember older people this winter and help them out in the local community with their Spread the Warmth campaign.
Their research shows that 3.5 million people aged 65+ in the UK are not getting any help, support or companionship from neighbours, which can be extremely difficult during a cold winter.Winter can have a massive impact on older peoples lives. and increases associated health problems for older people including heart attacks and strokes, respiratory problems, pneumonia and depression.
During the winter, isolation can also intensify having an adverse effect on physical and mental well-being.
Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign is for people to make winter time less worrying for older people. Over 3.5 million (35%) people aged 65+ are concerned about staying warm at home and find it more difficult to get out and about with nearly 4.5 million (43%) people aged 65+ concerned about falling over on slippery pavements and just over 2 million (21%) state they are worried about not being able to get out and about as much.
Part of Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign is as simple as going in to see an older friend relative or neighbour, or offering to clear the paths or get some shopping in for an older person when winter is here. A small gesture can make a big difference to an older person in winter.
This winter as many as 25,000 older people could die due to the cold. To help prevent this, the charity will be providing social activities and contact for older people, giving out hot meals and offering information and advice on the best way to stay healthy. The charity is also calling on the Government to boost the energy efficiency of older people's homes.
Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director General of Age UK, said:
The winter can cause misery, avoidable illness and even death for too many older people. We're hoping to inspire everyone to act now to do their bit to lessen the impact of winter for older people this year.
There is something simple that everyone can do from popping in to check on an older neighbour to making time for older relatives. As we experienced as a nation this summer, it feels good to come together and help each other out. Small things and a friendly face make all the difference.See more at Age UK.
Image source: http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/103653
Related articles
- 01 Sep
Older people need more male carers
Professor Martin Green has said that the government needs to do more to recruit males into front-line adult social care roles, reports the BBC.Prof Green has said that with the increasing number of...
- 25 Aug
Survey finds older people have better quality of life in retirement villages than care homes
Chief executive of Audley Retirement, Nick Sanderson, has said that demand for his form of extra-care housing was so strong he could not build homes fast enough, reports the Guardian.He said: “I...
- 12 Aug
Older people’s Commissioner disappointed by Welsh Government
Sarah Rochira, Wale’s Commissioner for older people has said she is “extremely disappointed” at the response from the Welsh Government to its call for action to protect residents in care homes,...
- 31 Jul
Charity warns of loneliness in older people
The Campaign to End Loneliness charity want a “range of support” for older people to help them fight loneliness, reports the BBC. The charity says that transport and technology are essential to...
- 27 Jul
New housing for older people promised
Members of Kensington and Chelsea’s cabinet have decided to create 150 new homes for older people on the site of a care home that closed down in 2014 due to Legionella, reports Get West...
- 22 Jul
New drug provides hope for older people with Parkinsons
Scientists have found that people taking glitazone pills were less likely to develop Parkinson’s than people taking other diabetes drugs. However, they have cautioned that the drugs could have...
- 15 Jul
Lack in dignity when caring for older people in hospital
In a poll from 2012 it has been found that poor care is most likely to be experienced by people over the age of 80, reports the BBC. Over a third of patients who need help at mealtimes did not...
- 09 Jul
New housing development for older people in Sunderland
A 16.3m housing and care scheme has been opened by the Leader of Sunderland Council, reports Sunderland Echo.The accommodation provides 158 two-bedroom apartments for older people and 17 one bed...
- 07 Jul
Social care cuts leaving older people stranded
Age UK is calling on Chancellor George Osborne to put an end to cuts to social care funding due to the increasing rate the older population is growing, reports the Yorkshire Post. Age UK has...
- 01 Jul
Charity wants priority for older people in housing
Erosh represents organisation providing housing and support to 120,000 older people and has written to new government ministers in opposition, reports Inside Housing.The letter calls on ministers to...
Support Solutions 5th National Housing Support & Social Care Conference 2014 Good organisation from beginning to end. Excellent keynote speaker. Relevant and important topics for discussion which were to everyone's advantage within the supported housing sector. B.H - Stevenage Haven
