Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington

As the colder, gloomier days of winter start to bite, Age UK Darlington and North Yorkshire, is issuing ‘Winter Health Check’ advice to older people worried about staying warm and well.

This year, the basic job of keeping warm while staying well-nourished and in touch with other people, has become even more difficult due to the cost of living crisis.

Age UK Darlington and North Yorkshire has devised a 9-point ‘winter health check’. The advice comes in response to soaring fuel bills with the typical annual bill now hovering at around £2,500, and with prices twice as high as last winter. Age UK’s Darlington and North Yorkshire phone lines have already seen a doubling of calls from older people worried about bills.

Here is the 9-point check 'winter health check':

1. Stop draughts in their tracks. Check and renew draught sealant around external doors and consider putting up a rail and curtain on front and back doors.
2. Heat one room at a time. It’s far easier to heat one room at a time, and to keep draughts from hallways, for instance, by closing internal doors.
3. Layer up. Keeping warm by adding layers is always effective.
4. Check radiators. Make sure radiators are working properly by bleeding them and consider putting foil behind them to maximise heat output.
5. Keep active. If possible, consider light exercise such as walking or gentle stretching.
6. Stay well nourished. A daily hot meal is important.
7. Likewise, hot drinks can soothe and help to stay warm on a chilly day.
8. Stay in touch. Social groups and befriending services are at hand, including Age UK’s network of cafes and befriending services.
9. Get advice - are you getting any benefits / help with fuel costs you may be entitled to? Call our helpline telephone number: 01325 357345.

Helen Hunter, Chief Executive of Age UK Darlington and North Yorkshire, said: “Every winter sees a challenge for older people particularly to stay warm and well nourished, but this year it’s harder still. Calls to the help line have doubled and we would encourage more people to contact us for advice.

“It’s a real concern that people are having to worry about staying warm and contending with rising fuel bills. It’s an uncertain time for everyone but older people especially can feel anxious and vulnerable at this time of year. We would urge anyone concerned to get in touch and not to suffer in silence.”

Age UK Darlington and North Yorkshire’s helpline is available on Tel: 01325 357345. Age UK is on hand to help all older people aged 50 plus with support, advice and guidance.

If you want to help change the lives of older people across North Yorkshire & Darlington, please call 0300 30 20 100 to find out how you can make a difference.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Marie Carter-Robb at marie@mccommunications.co.uk or on 07760 477694.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: 

1. Elderly couple. Credit: Photo by Joe Hepburn on Unsplash. 

2. Helen Hunter, CEO, Age UK Darlington and North Yorkshire

NOTES TO EDITORS

Age UK Darlington and North Yorkshire is a nationally registered charity and one of 150 locally based Age UK organisations providing a variety of services to older people aged 50 plus.

Whether it’s through recreational activities, expert information and advice, befriending services or just being somewhere to turn when things get too tough to cope with on your own, Age UK Darlington and North Yorkshire provides crucial companionship, advice and support to thousands of people every year.

Community focused, Age UK is dedicated to enhancing the lives of older people in the community through befriending, outreach and social activities as well as providing an invaluable range of social and wellbeing services, including:

• A cafe and restaurant.
• A day centre
• Exercise & physical activity
• Meals at home
• IT Training courses
• Social activities.