Stay warm and well this winter

Colder weather, seasonal infections, and higher costs means winter can be a challenging time for many older people. With the cost of living crisis, this winter is quite likely to be one of our most difficult yet, so the national Age UK team are raising awareness of six things that we can all do to try and stay well:

1. Get your free flu jab and COVID-19 booster if you’re 50+ or a carer (and check which other vaccines you may be eligible for)

2. If you’re worried about your health, check it outCall 111 or speak to your doctor or local pharmacy

3. Talk to someone if you’re feeling out of sorts or lonely - Your mental health matters

4. Make sure your home is warm enough - Contact the Age UK Advice Line (0800 678 1602) or your local Age UK for energy advice and help with the costs of heating your home

5. Get support if you’re struggling with your finances

- Contact the Age UK Advice Line (0800 678 1602) or your local Age UK if you’re struggling to pay your bills

6. Keep moving and eat enough this winter - Stay as active as possible and keep an eye on unintentional weight loss.

The national team have also set up a hub of information on their website www.ageuk.org.uk/ winter and produced a ‘Winter wrapped up’ guide.

In addition to these national resources, as the local Age UK partner, Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest (Age UK BRWF) is also aware of the local help and support that is available for older people.

The charity’s Information and Advice team can help with finances by completing benefit entitlement checks to ensure that people are receiving all of the benefits and financial help that they are entitled to.

Thanks to local funding, Age UK BRWF is also able to offer free Home Energy Checks for the over 50s living in North Worcestershire. As part of the Energy Check, one of Age UK BRWF’s handypersons will visit your home to check the temperature and for draughts, as well as inspecting your heating system and any insulation measures you have.

Depending on the outcome of the assessment they will then fit appropriate energy saving equipment, free of charge, as well as offering some practical tips for saving energy and keeping fuel bills down without compromising on the warmth of your home.

Anybody interested in a Free Energy Check should call the Age UK BRWF team on 01527 570490 (Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm). You can visit the charity’s website www.ageuk.org.uk/brwf/ to find out more about the scheme and Age UK BRWF’s local work.

The Age UK BRWF team would also like to encourage everyone to check on older relatives, friends and neighbours to make sure that they have everything they need and that they are keeping warm and well. Winter can be an especially difficult, lonely and isolating time for older people – popping round or giving somebody a call can really help to make a difference!