In this winter season, our residents at Heaton House have access to toasty central heating, a large sunny picture window in our largest lounge, lots of help from our fantastic staff to help them choose the right clothing and even electric heated blankets if they want to sit outside in the fresh air. However, this is not the case for many vulnerable older people so we wanted to share our top tips to help others stay warm this winter.
Wear multiple layers
Although one thick jumper can be warm, having multiple thinner layers (think, ‘vest – long-sleeved top – cardigan’) traps air between them and can be more effective at keeping bodies warmer. In addition, layers can also be taken off as and when needed.
Another advantage of layering clothing is that it is completely adaptable to how cold the person is. Some of our residents love to wear long sleeve tops underneath their jumpers, while others are warm enough with just a t-shirt underneath.
Have a hot drink
Not only are hot drinks great for hydration, they also help to keep people warm. Due to them being hot, people often choose to sip them rather than drink them quickly. Which also helps aid hydration. To save having to repeatedly boil a kettle, you could keep a flask on the go, which will facilitate even greater hydration as well as save a bit of money on the electricity bill.
We’ve nearly always got a hot pot of tea on the go here, although there are so many other options. Including hot chocolate, coffees and other teas; maybe something fruity or a classic Earl Grey.
Fill a hot water bottle
While you’ve got the kettle on, why not fill up a hot water bottle too? A trick that dates back to the early 1900’s that is still widely used today. A safer alternative is a microwaveable grain bag, commonly in the shape of a cute animal. These are fantastic at keeping people warm and can even help with other things like digestion and blood circulation. You just pop them in the microwave for a couple of minutes and then away you go.
Paired with a hot drink, it is sure to keep you warm!
Do some light exercise
Doing some light exercise is a great way to help maintain strength and mobility, but it can also be a great way to stay warm. Something small like walking to and from different rooms can be a good and easy way to get the body moving.
Age UK recommends not staying sitting for more than an hour at a time and even small movements while sitting down can be really effective at keeping things moving and keeping people warm. There are plenty of freely accessible seated exercise routines online and just getting your elderly loved one to rotate their ankles at regular intervals can help improve circulation around the lower legs.
Of course, keeping warm and active during these cold winter months also has the major benefit of helping maintain good overall health too. Even 10 minutes of gentle exercise will release positive and mood enhancing endorphins which could last for hours.
So why not visit your loved one, or that older person you know who lives alone and check on them to make sure they are warm enough and keeping mobile? We are sure it will be well worth your while.
(This blog is an updated version of one published in 2023)