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Help for veterans to keep warm and well this winter

 

 

As the cold weather sets in many older people and veterans find themselves worried about how to keep warm and well. There is a direct link between cold weather and heart and respiratory problems, serious illness, discomfort and depression, so what can you do?

The government ‘s Keep Warm Keep Well campaign offers advice on staying healthy, living well, and keeping warm in winter, as well as information on financial help available, such as grants to make your home warmer or assistance to meet the cost of heating bills.

Older people, those on low incomes and disabled people are most vulnerable to the winter cold. Financial help may be available – find out if you are eligible by calling the Warm Front Scheme on 0800 072 0151. The Government makes payments to people aged 60 and over to help with the costs of keeping warm in winter. Call 08459 15 15 15 for information about Winter Fuel payments. 

A free ‘Keep Warm Keep Well’ winter guide is also available – look out for a copy at your Citizen’s Advice Bureau, your GP surgery or local pharmacy.  The guide offers a host of top tips for coping with the cold and staying healthy this winter.

While many of the tips require planning – with grants available to make your home warmer through extra insulation and new heating systems, there are other tips that will make a real difference immediately.  For example, having regular hot drinks and meals, checking your heating system works safely, setting your thermostat at around 21ºC (70ºF) for the rooms you use in the day and keeping active.

 

 

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