Winter Wellbeing – Stay Well This Winter
Winter conditions can be bad for our health, aggravating any existing health problems, increasing the risk of a fall, and making us more vulnerable to respiratory winter illnesses. People aged 65 or older, and people with long-term conditions such as heart or kidney disease, COPD (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis), asthma or diabetes are at higher risk. Being cold can also cause your blood pressure to rise, potentially increasing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. But there are lots of things you can do to stay well this winter.
Winter Vaccines
Getting vaccinated helps keep you and your loved ones safe by reducing your risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and passing an illness on to others. Every year thousands of older adults, people with certain health conditions and children under 5 need hospital care for flu, COVID-19, RSV and other preventable illnesses. Sadly, every winter thousands of people die. The risk from these viruses is greater during winter when they circulate most as people spend more time indoors.
Please click on the link below for information and advice on the various free vaccinations available to help you stay strong and well this winter.
Winter Viruses
Every winter flu and Covid-19 make a reappearance, this is especially concerning for our vulnerable or elderly patients. Even if you are not in at-risk group you may well be in contact with others who are more susceptible to these illnesses and in more danger should they catch them. Please look below to see some top tips on how to keep yourself and others safe.
How to avoid passing on flu and COVID-19 to others:
- To avoid passing on viruses that spread by sneezing, coughing and breathing:
- If you’re unwell, stay home and avoid contact with people if you can, particularly staying away from vulnerable people like babies and people with long-term health conditions.
- Let people who need to come into your home know if you have symptoms.
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, bin your tissue immediately, then wash your hands.
- Consider wearing a mask if you have symptoms, are in close contact with someone who is high risk, or when you are in crowded or enclosed spaces. Open a window during their visit, if it’s not too cold.
- Get all the vaccines for which you are eligible.
Hand washing
Cases of infectious illnesses can increase over winter, including highly contagious infections such as flu and norovirus, also called the ‘winter vomiting bug’. Washing your hands with soap and water is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from catching these viruses and help reduce the pressures on healthcare services. Hand washing is particularly important when you’re visiting someone in hospital or another healthcare setting. If you do not have immediate access to soap and water, then use alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Make sure to wash your hands for at least 40 seconds, and find out more about how to wash your hands most effectively at www.nhs.uk/handwashing.
Treatments for COVID-19
The NHS offers treatments to people with COVID-19 who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill. For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/CovidTreatments. If you are eligible for COVID-19 treatments, keep rapid lateral flow tests at home, and take a test as soon as you have symptoms, even if they are mild. Tests are available free from participating pharmacies if you are eligible.
If your test is positive, call your GP practice, hospital specialist or NHS 111 as soon as possible. They’ll decide if you need referring for an assessment for COVID-19 treatment. If your test result is negative, but you still have symptoms, continue to do a total of 3 rapid lateral flow tests over 3 days.
Keeping Warm This Winter and Financial Support
Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
Age UK and UKHSA suggest heating your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you. This should be at least 18°C in the rooms that you regularly use such as your living room and bedroom. Low indoor temperatures can have a serious impact on your health, especially if you have medical conditions or are older.
With the rising cost of living, there are some simple changes that can help to keep you and your home warm:
- Try to reduce draughts – fit draught excluders around doors cheaply, or alternatively use an old towel to cover a gap under a door.
- Keep your bedroom windows closed at night.
- Wear several layers of thinner clothing – this will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.
- Ensure you are eating enough and having hot drinks.
- Check that your heating and cooking appliances are safe. Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to make sure they’re operating properly. Visit www.gassaferegister.co.uk and www.nationalfirechiefs.org.uk for more information.
- If you live in rented or social accommodation, you can check that your landlord is meeting minimum standards around energy efficiency, damp and mould.
There is also a selection of government funded schemed designed to keep homes warm and safe and a range of charities geared towards providing financial help and advice during these cold winter months. Please take a look at the links below to find out more or check your eligibility.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born before 23 September 1958, you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. You must be getting certain benefits to be eligible. https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
Cold Weather Payment
This scheme starts on November 1st, and you must be getting certain benefits to be eligible. You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025. https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
Warm Home Discount
This scheme starts again in October, and you must be getting certain benefits to be eligible. The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Warwickshire Local Welfare scheme
Support for households on certain benefits/low income, is one-off funding to provide short-term support to meet immediate needs and help those who are struggling to access the essentials. To enquire or to apply for support, call the Local Welfare Scheme on 0800 4081448 or 01926 359182. https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/localwelfarescheme
Pension Credit
If you’re eligible for Pension Credit you could also get a Winter Fuel Payment. Check what benefits you could be eligible for at www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.
Cost of Living Support
The government has also published energy saving tips to help save money on bills at Help for Households – Get government cost of living support.
Turn2us
A national charity offering advice and information to those who are struggling financially. Turn2us offer a benefits Calculator and grants advice / search service, to see what support people are entitled to based on their circumstances. New service also to support individuals with their PIP applications. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
Money Helper
Money Helper joins up money and pensions guidance to make it quicker and easier to find the right help. It brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise. https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
Mind (Money & Mental Health)
Worries about money can have an impact on your mental health. And your mental health can affect how you manage your money. Learn more about how the two affect each other, and get tips for getting to know your money and mood patterns. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/money-and-mental-health/
Charis Grants
If you’re having difficulty paying your heating bills, contact the organisation Charis Grants. They can direct you to grants to help with utility debts owed to certain energy providers. Tel: 01733 421 021 or visit www.charisgrants.com
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme
You might be able to get help with the cost of energy efficiency improvements under the ECO scheme. You could be eligible if your home isn’t energy efficient. For owner-occupiers, this means an energy performance rating of D, E, F or G. For tenants, it usually means a rating of E, F or G (although social rented homes in band D are sometimes eligible, too). Owner-occupiers and private renters need to be claiming certain benefits to be eligible – such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Universal Credit. This doesn’t apply to social tenants. If you think you meet the criteria, contact one of the energy suppliers signed up to the scheme and ask what help you might get. It could be worth speaking to a range of suppliers, as they have different ways of meeting their targets. If you don’t meet the criteria, ask your local council whether they offer any help with improving energy efficiency. Councils have access to funding for energy efficiency improvements and can refer you to the ECO scheme even if you wouldn’t usually be eligible. For instance, they may refer you if you’re on a low income or vulnerable to the effects of cold – ask your council what their specific rules are. To find out whether you’re eligible, give the Age UK Advice Line a ring on 0800 169 65 65.
Great British Insulation Scheme
You might be able to get help installing single insulation measures through the Great British Insulation Scheme. You could be eligible if you live in a property with an energy efficiency rating of D, E, F or G, and within a lower Council Tax band. Visit http://www.gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme or call the Great British Insulation Scheme helpline on 0800 098 7950.
Energy Saving Trust
Provides online advice on saving energy. www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Check For Home Safety Concerns
The NHS advises older people to make some simple changes around your home to make it a safer place. For example, moving rugs and mats at the top or the bottom of the stairs out of the way, installing a night light near the bed to make sure you can see where you’re going if you wake up in the night, and removing trip hazards like trailing wires or clutter from your home.
Gas Safe Register
Check if an engineer is on the register by visiting their website. Tel: 0800 408 5500 If you suspect a gas leak, call the 24-hour National Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999 www.gassaferegister.co.uk
Fire Safety
Most fires in the home start accidentally. Having working smoke alarms on every floor of your home can provide the vital early warning should a fire start. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly. Get a carbon monoxide alarm for each room of your home that contains appliances that burn gas, oil, coal or wood.
You can complete an online home fire safety check at www.ohfsc.co.uk. It will provide fire safety advice specific to you and tips on how to keep you and your household safe from fire.
Another option is to request a safe and well visit (previously called a home fire safety check). This is a free service carried out by the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service to help you stay safe and reduce the risk of fire in your home.
Safe and Well visits are completely free, and you may be eligible for free smoke alarms to be fitted where required.
Please click on the link below to find out more about this service and how to book.
Mental Health Support
We all feel down from time to time, no matter our age. You can find information and tips on keeping mentally healthy at www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters
Speak to your GP practice about NHS Talking Therapies if you are anxious, depressed or struggling to cope. They can help you – physically and mentally – and can refer you to the right service. You can also self-refer by visiting www.nhs.uk/talk
If you live with serious mental illness, you are entitled to a free NHS annual health check – talk to your GP, key worker or mental health service to book it.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call NHS 111 and press Option 2 for 24-hour mental health advice and support. Information and contact details are available on www.nhs.uk/urgentmentalhealth.
For a range of useful advice and services please click on the link below the visit the Mental Health and Wellbeing section of The Atherstone Surgery website.
You might also be interested in Safe Haven Coventry and Warwickshire. This is a place for you if you have feelings of mental health distress. You can call or better still, drop-in to see and talk to them. Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Active
There’s strong evidence that people who are inactive have an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, depression and dementia. Regular exercise can help improve your physical and mental health, reduce the risk of falling and can be beneficial for recovery if you do get ill.
Try to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting down during the day. There are many activities you could do at home to keep active. For tips and ideas on keeping active go to Physical activity guidelines for older adults – NHS or have a look at Exercise Advice for Over 60s | Age UK.
There are also a wide variety of Apps and services available to help keep our patients happy and active. Please click on the link below to find out more about these services along with some great tips and advice.
Prescriptions and Winter Medications
Make sure you get your prescription medicines before your pharmacy or GP practice closes for holidays. And if you’ve been prescribed antibiotics or any other medication, make sure you take them as directed.
You can order prescriptions via pharmacy websites, by calling them, or via NHS-approved apps. Ask a friend, relative or volunteer to collect medicines for you. Click HERE for a list of NHS-approved apps.
You can order prescriptions via pharmacy websites, by calling them, or via NHS-approved apps. Ask a friend, relative or volunteer to collect medicines for you. Click HERE for a list of NHS-approved apps.
Another way to order is via Rapid Health which is used at all three of our surgeries. Please click on the link below to select Rapid Health for your relevant surgery.
You can also order your repeat prescriptions via the NHS App, as well as make GP appointments. The NHS App is available on the App Store and on Google Play. For more information visit www.nhs.uk/nhsapp or click on the button below.
Check your medicine cabinet
Ask your pharmacist what medicines should be in your cabinet to help you and your family this winter. Many over-the-counter medicines (including paracetamol and ibuprofen) are available to relieve symptoms of common winter illnesses such as colds, sinusitis or painful middle ear infection (earache).
To manage winter illness symptoms at home, you should keep warm, rest, drink plenty of fluids, have at least one hot meal a day to keep your energy levels up and use over-the-counter medicines to help give relief.
For more information, speak to your local pharmacist; find yours at Find a pharmacy – NHS.
Look out for other people
Remember that older neighbours, friends and family members, may need extra help over the winter. Keep in touch with them, especially if they live alone. Make sure they’re stocked up with enough food supplies for a few days, in case cold, ice or snowy weather stop them from going out. If they do need to go out in the cold, encourage them to wear shoes with a good grip and a scarf around the mouth to protect them from the cold air, and to reduce their risk of chest infections. Make sure they get any prescription medicines before the Christmas holidays start and if bad weather is forecast.
If they need help over the holiday period when the GP practice or pharmacy is closed or they’re not sure what to do, NHS 111 can help. The service is available online at 111.nhs.uk and also by phone. By answering questions about their health problem, they will be told what to do and where to go.
Local Warm Hubs and Other Services
Libraries, museums and other community venues across Warwickshire are putting on additional events and offering extended opening hours for vulnerable and isolated people this winter.
What is a Warm Hub?
Health guidelines recommend that people heat the rooms they are using to 18°C to avoid health complications such as heart problems, hypothermia, or exacerbation of existing medical conditions. However, with the rising costs of energy bills and other household expenses, many people are finding it harder to heat their homes sufficiently.
‘Warm Hubs’ have been created as places within the local community for those who are struggling with energy costs or who are feeling vulnerable or isolated. Residents are invited to attend on their own or with their family or friends, to spend some time in a safe, warm and friendly environment where they can enjoy refreshments, social activity, information and advice and the company of other people.
A Warm Hub event could include a weekly coffee morning or a monthly breakfast club, a repair cafe session or a meet-up for carers, a wellbeing session or a hot meal in a friendly environment with tips and advice on saving energy costs and keeping safe and warm at home as well.
Please take a look at the information below to see what venues are offering warm Hub Events in your area.
Local MIND group
Open 7 days a week 6-11pm via phone or face to face drop ins or anyone with mental health distress.
Arley Warm Hub
Wesley Road, Arley, CV7 8FR Thursdays 2.30-4.30 which is part of our PCN free refreshments and activities.
Atherstone warm hub
This service is on Tuesdays and Fridays at St Benedict’s community hall, 7 Owen Street, Atherstone, CV9 1DG. Members pay £1 admission and in return receive free refreshments and activities plus subsidised day trips and special functions all agreed by members. They have disco buffets bi-monthly as an encouragement to exercise. And they now offer transportation to and from sessions for those who experience difficulty in attending sessions. All ages and abilities welcome. For information contact [email protected]
White Hart Community Centre
They open on Tuesday and Thursdays Mornings, 10am till1pm. They offer a social hub where people can go for a friendly chat, and to get a cup of tea and biscuits, or soup and bread. They also run White Hart Community Fridge. Food donations are received from supermarket surplus and the public, and are offered to those struggling financially, some food items are free to take, and others require a small donation, normally no more than £3. No need to book, just take your own bags. https://www.whcg-atherstone.org.uk/projects/
People’s Pantry Lunch Club
Held at All Saint’s Church, Bedworth every Thursday. 2 course meals served at 12 noon. Tea and coffee available. £6:50 per person + additional donation for drinks. https://searchout.warwickshire.gov.uk/service/974/people-s-pantry-lunch-club
Other Useful Services
Please see the links below for a selection of services that we think may also be of help to you this winter.
Mobile Pantry
Request to be a member online or via phone, the team can support with the application. Once a member you can visit the pantry once a week, for £5. The pantry is in a different area each day. https://thecommunitypantry.org.uk/mobile.php
Social Supermarket
For families and individuals struggling financial to put food on the table, they offer low-cost food items. To request an appointment text your full name, postcode, number of adults in the family and number of children/infants in the family to 07392 084485 and you will receive a reply. There is great demand for this service, and they have a waiting list. (£5 1 person, £10 couple, £20 family) Choose from fruit & veg, cereals, pasta, tinned goods, store cupboard basics, baked goods, toilet rolls, parent & baby items .Cash only. Proof of address required. Bring carrier bags with them. https://thehealthylivingnetwork.org.uk/social-supermarket/
Community Food Fleet Meals on Wheels
Offers a warm hot lunch delivered to elderly/housebound/frail individuals. They drop the meal to the door and also complete a welfare check, they will inform next of kin with any concerns. Menus rotate every week. One course from £7, two courses £8, three courses £9, and delivery is free. https://www.wrccrural.org.uk/services/community-food-fleet-is-the-new-meals-on-wheels-provider-in-warwickshire/
Food Parcels
Our Social Prescriber can generate a food parcel through the Trussel Trust, that individuals can collect from their local food bank, free of charge. Emergency provisions for those in serious financial hardship.
Ediblelinks
This is more than just a foodbank. Ediblelinks uses food surplus to reduce poverty and diet related ill health. They post a lot of their updates and opening days/times on facebook. Ediblelinks | Atherstone | Facebook
Local Support – WeCare UK
Offers emergency food parcels containing at least 7 days’ worth of food for vulnerable and isolated. Delivered straight to the persons door, can be same day delivery if referral is made before a certain time. Our Social Prescriber can generate these referrals so if you are interested please ask you surgery receptionists to send this request via an urgent task.
The also offer Social Isolation Support by helping with:
- Learn how to use the web
- Learn how to video call family/friends.
- Access online food shopping.
- Access local resources and online banking.
- Learn new skills and hobbies online.
- Connect with local communities.
For more information about this service please click HERE.
PCN ARRS Roles
Also don’t forget that we have a variety of ARRS roles staff available as part of our PCN many of which can help you with a variety of issues from mental health to social care during these difficult months and beyond. Please take a look at the links below to take a look at team members available and how they may help you.
On behalf of the entire North Arden PCN, we wish you a very healthy and safe
Winter season.
