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During the latter part of autumn and the cold, winter months, it is important to help older people stay safe and warm. Although cold weather can affect anyone, as we grow older we are more prone to losing body heat, often without even realising it.
During the cold weather, older adults are at an increased risk for slips and falls and illnesses such as colds, cases of flu, pneumonia and even hypothermia.
Here we offer some tips and guidance on how to help your loved ones stay warm and well throughout the winter months.
The dangers of cold weather for older people
Older adults lose body heat faster than younger people, which often makes it difficult for them to tolerate colder weather. This is mainly due to the natural decrease in metabolic rate that occurs as we age, which lowers the amount of heat the body can produce.
If a person’s body temperature dips below the standard 37°C, dangerous health problems can arise, such as hypothermia. Hypothermia is a condition caused by an abnormally low body temperature and it sets in when body temperature dips below 35°C.
Older adults have a thinner layer of fat under the skin, making them even more susceptible to the cold. Health conditions that are more prevalent in old age like diabetes, peripheral artery disease and kidney disease can also restrict blood flow and lower body temperature.
Various other factors that contribute to cold sensitivity as we age include:
· Low blood pressure
· Loss of elasticity of the blood vessels
· Slower circulation
· Side effects of certain medications
If you or a loved one start to feel unwell due to the cold weather, seek advice from a pharmacist, or doctor or call the NHS helpline – 111. Don’t wait until the problem becomes serious to take action
Tips for keeping safe and warm in winter
Wear shoes with grip
The combination of wet weather and cold winter temperatures can cause dangerous black ice to form on the roads and paths. Black ice is difficult for anyone to spot and can lead to slips and falls.
One way to protect your loved ones is to ensure they have the appropriate winter footwear. Help them choose a pair of winter boots or shoes that are waterproof and comfortable with lots of grip. This will allow them to enjoy being outdoors while helping prevent slips and falls.
Wear warm clothing
Bundling up in warm clothing is especially important during the winter months. Make sure your loved ones wrap up well with a warm coat, a fleece or wool jumper and a sturdy pair of boots. We lose much of our body heat from our heads and necks, so ensure they also have a warm scarf and hat as well.
While a thick jumper may seem like a good choice, wearing several layers will actually keep you warmer. This is because air becomes trapped between the different layers and acts as a form of insulation. Base layers such as thermal underwear or long-sleeved cotton shirts can be worn close to the skin with a cosy fleece or jumper on top.
Waterproof coats are also a great way to keep from getting wet. Just make sure they have something warm and cosy to wear underneath.
Check the weather
Heavy winds can quickly lower body temperature. Keep an eye on the weather forecast for particularly cold or windy days. On those days, encourage your loved ones to try to stay inside or in a warm place. If they must go out, make sure they dress for the weather and try to encourage them not to stay in the cold or wind for very long.
Keep moving
If your loved ones will be spending time outdoors, encourage them to keep moving to help their body regulate their own temperature. Try and encourage your loved ones to move around at least once an hour and avoid sitting still for long periods.
We know this can be easier said than done, especially if your loved one is living with frailty or mobility concerns. Here we provide some guidance and advice on physical activities that can help older adults stay active at any age.
Enjoy hot meals and drinks
Hot meals and warm foods can help keep you warm on a cold winter’s day. Eating warm and nutritionally-balanced meals can also keep your immune system healthy and prevent colds and cases of flu. Hearty soups and stews, porridge, jacket potatoes, and pasta dishes are all good choices to help older adults stay warm during winter.
Keeping warm at home
Cold temperatures can affect older adults even in their own homes. Here are some tips on how you can help your loved ones keep their homes warm this winter:
· Keep the home adequately heated at a temperature of at least 20°C to 21°C
· To save on heating bills, consider closing off rooms you are not using
· A hot water bottle or electric blanket can be used to warm a bed, but avoid using both at the same time as it can be dangerous
· If possible, move your sofa away from your radiator – while it may feel cosy, it can stop hot air from circulating properly
· Keep the windows and door shut tight and use draught excluders to help keep cold air out
· Draw your curtains as soon as it gets dark to help stop draughts from getting in
· The ground is where cool air circulates – use rugs to cover cold floors and try and keep your feet up if you feel cold
We’re here to help
At Everycare Wirral, we’ve supported older people to live safely and independently in their homes for over 10 years. Our professional carers understand how to encourage our clients to remain as active as possible while staying warm and well in winter.
As part of our comprehensive care planning process, we capture all the activities you or your loved one wishes to participate in. Your carer will facilitate and support your loved ones in enjoying their favourite hobbies and activities while actively encouraging them to try new things to make life stimulating and enjoyable.
We are experts in providing a fully managed, high-quality care services rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Contact our friendly team today to see how we can help you and your family
What is Sepsis?
Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by the body’s overwhelming response to an infection. Sepsis develops when an existing infection triggers an extreme immune system response in the body. The body responds by releasing proteins and other chemicals to fight it. Sepsis occurs when this response gets out of control, triggering extensive inflammation. Severe sepsis can lead to septic shock, a medical emergency and without urgent treatment, it can be fatal.
Stages of Sepsis
There are 3 stages of Sepsis – see flow chart opposite:
Sepsis Symptoms
It’s possible to mistake the symptoms above for those of another condition, like?pneumonia, COVID-19, or cancer.
In addition, sepsis symptoms can be particularly hard to identify in infants, children, and people with:
It’s best to seek medical assistance right away if you suspect sepsis. A health professional can examine you or the person you care for to make a diagnosis.
Who does sepsis affect?
Sepsis can affect anyone, but people with any kind of infection, especially bacteraemia, are at a particularly high risk.
Other people who are at a high risk include:
- People older than 65 years old,?new borns?and infants, and pregnant people.
- People with medical conditions such as?diabetes,?obesity,?cancer?and?kidney disease.
- People with weakened immune systems.
- People who are in the hospital for other medical reasons.
- People with severe injuries, such as large?burns?or wounds
- People with weaker immune systems, including people with?HIV?or those undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer
- People in intensive care units (ICUs)
- People exposed to invasive devices, like intravenous catheters or breathing tubes
Treatment for sepsis
Sepsis needs treatment in hospital straight away because it can get worse quickly.
You should get antibiotics within 1 hour of arriving at hospital.
If sepsis is not treated early, it can turn into septic shock and cause your organs to fail. This is life threatening.
You may need other tests or treatments depending on your symptoms, including:
- treatment in an intensive care unit
- a machine to help you breathe (ventilator)
- surgery to remove areas of infection
- You may need to stay in hospital for several weeks.
Recovering from sepsis
Most people make a full recovery from sepsis. But it can take time.
You might continue to have physical and emotional symptoms. These can last for months, or even years, after you had sepsis.
These long-term effects are sometimes called post-sepsis syndrome, and can include:
- feeling very tired and weak, and difficulty sleeping
- changes in your mood, or anxiety or depression
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
DO.
- ask your work about changes to your working hours or conditions while you’re recovering
- do some gentle easy exercises to build your strength (see https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/strength-exercises/)
- get regular rest and sleep
- try to prevent infections – for example, by washing your hands regularly
- try to eat little and often if you have a small appetite
DON’T
- do not try to rush your recovery – give yourself time
Personal Independence Payment, also known as PIP, is a benefit available to people who have a long-term health condition or disability. It is intended to help cover the extra costs that people can face due to the impact of their condition.
There are two components to PIP:
- Daily Living component
- Mobility component
If you are eligible for PIP, how much you receive will be based on which component is most relevant to you and your needs.
The Daily Living component is aimed at people who require additional assistance in everyday life such as with eating and drinking, washing and other personal tasks, communicating with others or handling money, for example.
The Mobility component is based on providing assistance to those who find it difficult to get out and about due to their condition. This could be because they need physical help when outside of their home or require assistance with planning a trip, for example.
To find out more and to find out the rates for 2024 – click here
Leading dementia organisations have joined forces to publish a new Dementia manifesto ahead of the General Election on 4th July. This collaboration from Alzheimer Scotland, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK and the UK Dementia Research Institute calls on the next Government to take action for the one in two of us who will be directly affected by dementia in our lifetime.
The full manifesto can be read and downloaded at https://www.dementiauk.org/dementia-coalition/?misc=media
Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK and is set to become the defining health and social care challenge of our time. However, despite what many believe, dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing.
There are currently 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK, yet hundreds of thousands of people do not have a formal diagnosis, remaining in the dark about their condition and locked out of care, support and the treatment opportunities that research brings.
For those who have a diagnosis, there is no cure – the care and treatment options that exist are often disjointed, inaccessible and inadequate, for both those with the condition and for their families and carers.
Living with dementia can be exhausting and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be this way. The manifesto draws on expertise from the range of organisations involved to demand a sustained, strategic approach to research funding, clear diagnosis targets and pathways and access to treatments and specialist care for people living with the condition:
- Prevention – including recommendations for a cross-governmental ‘Brain Health’ National Prevention Strategy to address the health and lifestyle factors that affect our risk of developing dementia
- Diagnosis – setting out the need for ambitious national diagnostic targets, a pilot of brain health clinics to deliver equitable high-quality services and the importance of investing to integrate promising research into accurate and deliverable diagnostic tools
- Support – calling for improved dementia support in primary care settings and extending the national dementia diagnosis targets to include young onset dementia, where symptoms develop under the age of 65
- Care – including a sustainable funding model for quality personalised care and an immediate review of the NHS continued healthcare funding application process to recognise the needs of people living with dementia
- Research – setting out the need to increase real-term spending on dementia research to accelerate new treatments, publish a long-term strategic approach to dementia research and promote and embed dementia research across the UK
To read the full story – click here 
