The depths of Winter really are upon us and it’s essential to make sure that vulnerable people are looked after. t Heaton House, we always make sure that the heating is on and that it’s lovely and warm for our residents. As we all know, the cost of living crisis has seen many of us feel the strain when using the heating this winter so it’s good to know that having the heating on isn’t the only thing that you can do to help people stay warm. Here are some of the ways we also use to stay warm:

Wear multiple layers

Although one thick jumper can be warm, having multiple thinner layers can be more effective. Not least because you can then take layers off as and when you need to. 

Multiple layers also work well to trap heat between the layers and protect from the colder air around you (think, ‘vest – long-sleeved top – cardigan’). The great thing about 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 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. Just getting your elderly loved one to rotate their ankles at regular intervals can help improve circulation around the lower legs.

Find your local community warm space

If your older loved one can get out of the house, did you know there are lots free to attend ‘warm spaces’ all across the local community? Have a look at this link to see where and when they are open https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/warm-spaces/.