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Keeping warm this winter
Winter can be a testing time for many elderly Irish people faced with a tight budget and the problem of keeping warm in Britain’s bitter cold. AMANDA DIAMOND and MARY CONNELLY offer some handy tips on how to keep the cold at bay.
Elderly Irish people are being advised on the best ways to keep warm and stay healthy in the bitter winter months.
As the cold spells get worse in the run up to Christmas, more and more elderly people will suffer from the extreme weather conditions.
But help is at hand.
Mary Connelly — Coordinator of the Irish Healthy Living Centre in north London — has come up with some handy hints for the best ways to keep warm and remain healthy through the cold winter months.
From keeping warm and eating well to preserving energy in the home, Ms Connolly has provided tips to help everyone have a happier and warmer holiday season.
The Irish Healthy Living Centre was created to promote good health among the Irish community in Camden and the surrounding boroughs.
The centre — based at the Camden Irish Centre — has been highlighting levels of ill-health and low life expectancy among the Irish community and has been working on ways to address these issues.
Now Ms Connolly has come up with a four-step easy-to-follow plan for basic ways to keep warm and guard against the freezing temperatures this winter:
Dressing well and keeping warm at night-time.
This piece of advice could save lives. Wrapping up warm means wearing warm clothes inside and outside the home.
A shirt or a blouse with a pullover along with a cardigan will be warmer than wearing just one heavy jumper. Warm thick underwear is also a must.
Ladies — remember trousers can be warmer than a skirt and if you are sitting down always remember a shawl or blanket over the knees can work wonders. A hot water bottle can keep you warm at night and warm the bed nicely.
Thermal underwear or pyjamas, bed socks or even a nightcap can all help keep you warm during the night.
Eating Well
Coming up to Christmas, food is on all our minds.
It is important to eat well during the cold months. One hot meal a day is vital and getting all the different food groups will really help ward off winter colds.
Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables along with bread, cereals, potatoes and pasta are foods that are vital during cold spells.
Moderate amounts of dairy foods and even a few sweets and goodies will help your body keep itself warm and energised.
It is a good idea to stock up on food during a very cold spell because then you can avoid going out on the very coldest days.
Keep Your Body Moving
Just because it is winter does not mean we have to sit still and hibernate.
Keeping the body moving always boosts circulation and increases body temperature. Moving around does not mean having to leave the house.
Doing the housework or doing some exercise can help keep the cold from the bones.
Your House — Your Health
It is vital to keep a warm house during the winter months.
Older people tend to live in older houses, which tend to be harder to heat and keep warm.
Keeping a warm living room and bedroom is particularly important.
A temperature of 21° C is the recommended level but a higher temperature is also acceptable.
A temperature lower than 16° C creates risk of hypothermia, heart attack and stroke.
Keeping the heat in is the most important aspect of keeping a warm house.
A lot of heat is lost through windows and doors — curtains can be a great help. A well fitting curtain on the front door will significantly cut down on heat loss. Draught excluders on windows and doors can also preserve heat.
It is the government’s aim by 2010 for older adults to have warm homes. There are many places to turn to for help and advice about fuel and energy costs and queries.
British Gas Warm-A-Life: 0845 605 2535
Energy Efficiency Advice: 0800 512 012
Winter Fuel Payments Helpline: 0845 915 1515
Warm Front: 0800 952 0600
Ms Connolly said: “Winter does not have to be a nightmare for older people.
“Preparation, knowledge and keeping a thoughtful eye out could save you or your neighbour’s life.
“Use goodwill this season to check on your friends and family regularly.”
For more information on the Irish Healthy Living Centre contact Mary Connolly on 020 7916 222 or email health@irishcentre.org
The Healthy Irish Living Project is run in partnership with the London Irish Centre, Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy (icap), Irish Centre Housing (ICH) and Kairos.
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