Age UK links up with the Met Office to save lives this winter

11 November 2011

In an attempt to lower the number of unnecessary deaths this winter, Age UK is launching a ground-breaking initiative with the Met Office and the Department of Health.

The Met Office will give Age UK advance warnings when it predicts a cold spell so that vulnerable older people can be pre-warned and given tips on how best to stay warm and safe.

The figures show that there was an average of 200 excess deaths per day last winter in the UK many of which could have been avoided by people taking simple measures to stay warm. Age UK is hoping that by letting older people know about the serious risk to their health posed by the cold weather, it can help reduce this waste of life.

Many people believe that the only risk of the winter weather is getting a cold, but in fact the risk is much greater as low temperatures raise blood pressure putting people at greater risk of heart attacks and strokes as well as increasing the likelihood and severity of flu, chest infections and other respiratory problems.

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK said:“The winter can be a dangerous time for older people and cold weather conditions can kill. Every winter there are over 26,000 preventable deaths of older people[ii]. It's important that older people together with their family and friends understand the risks and take the simple precautions that can help save their lives.

“We want older people to be able to enjoy the winter and, most importantly of all, stay well. That is why we have linked up with the Met Office to get advance information to ensure that forewarned is forearmed when it comes to winter weather.”

John Hirst, Chief Executive of the Met Office, said: “The Met Office is proud to be able to support the Department of Health, the Health Protection Agency and Age UK with their winter preparedness. These alerts will put everyone in a better position to respond to forecasts of severe weather, inform those who are most at risk from winter weather and let them know what they can do to keep well.”

Age UK's top seven tips for staying healthy this winter are: It's a common misconception that sleeping with the window open all year round is healthy. In fact, research shows that exposing yourself to cold air overnight is very risky and the coldest time is just before daybreak.

Consider having central heating on in your bedroom at night. Being cold is bad for your health and try and make sure that your bedroom temperature does not fall below 18C.

Breathing in cold air can increase your chances of becoming ill. If your head, airways and hands get cold, your blood pressure will rise, putting your health at risk –wear a hat, scarf and gloves when you go outside. Flu can be dangerous as well as unpleasant. Protecting yourself against the virus is easy and a flu jab is free if you are over 65.

If possible eat at least one hot meal a day. Protein will help protect you from illness in cold weather (meat, fish, beans and eggs). Increased vitamin C helps build up resistance to infection.

Try to keep the temperature stable throughout your home as sudden changes to temperature can be dangerous. Close the doors to rooms you aren't using and try to keep the temperature at 21C.

If you are worried about energy bills find out if you are entitled to grants and benefits that will help you pay your energy bills.

For impartial advice call the Age UK advice line on 0800 169 65 65 or contact your local Age UK. The initiative is part of Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign which aims to keep older people warm and well during the winter.

Too many older people are suffering and dying needlessly in winter because of the effects of cold weather, so Age UK has launched it's annual Spread the Warmth campaign. The Charity and its local and national partners are aiming to make winter warmer for 360,000 older people by providing information, advice and practical services to help keep warm and well in the colder winter months, preventing many thousands from being left isolated and alone.

These include getting warm and nutritious meals to older people, helping to keep homes warm, and giving free information and advice 365 days a year. Older people and their families can call Age UK Advice for free on 0800 169 65 65, where they can also order a free copy of 'Winter Wrapped Up', a guide produced in conjunction with E.ON.

Alternatively they can visit www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk to download the guide, get more information about Spread the Warmth and find out where their local Age UK office or shop is. There will be lots of ways to help Age UK Spread the Warmth this winter. People can make a donation simply by calling 0800 169 87 87 or visiting www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk.

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