Age UK Hillingdon

Get Ready For Winter Campaign

Sharon Trimby, Director of Services

23rd June 2011

• Mortality in England rises 18% during the colder months, whereas other, colder countries have smaller increases.

• Finland has 45% fewer winter deaths than the UK.

• Most winter deaths occur due to increased cardiac death, strokes and respiratory problems.

• Every £1 spent keeping homes warm, can save the NHS 42p in health costs.

• Around two-fifths of eligible households do not claim their pension credit.

WINTER KILLS – KEY POINTS(The 2009 Report of the Chief Medical Officer)

EXCESS WINTER DEATHS IN HILLINGDONHillingdon Public Health Team

• There are more deaths occurring during the winter months compared with the summer.

• The average of excess winter deaths in Hillingdon during the 3 winter periods between August 2006 and July 2009 was 102 excess winter deaths each winter period.

• Deaths from respiratory diseases, especially influenza and pneumonia are the main causes of death during winter seasons

• To reduce Excess Winter Mortality in Hillingdon

• To reduce admissions to hospital

• To reduce the numbers of people living in fuel poverty

• To provide information, support and practical assistance

AIMS OF THE CAMPAIGN

• Older people, especially those living alone

• Those with disabilities

• Families with young children *

• Those on low incomes

TARGET GROUPS

• Most would cope with higher fuel prices by cutting back on other things.

• Most households thought warmth was crucial to their wellbeing, particularly as they got older.

• No participants thought they had an impaired ability to detect temperature changes due to their age.

• Thermostats tend to be set at 20C, although this was lower for those on low incomes – typically 15C

• Common practice was to turn heating off during the day and overnight – going to bed early was also common

WINTER BEHAVIOURSA Study by the University of Birmingham, University College London and the Nuffield Foundation- Older People and their Winter Warmth Behaviours’

• Windows were often open during the day and at night because it was thought ‘beneficial to health’.

• Majority preferred unheated bedrooms• Participants liked a living flame and preferred to use

gas/electric fires• Put extra clothing on is the first thing the participants would

do if they felt cold.• Appearance is very important and most would not wear hats

outside.• Lower income households spending significantly less on

heating bills.• Changing energy supplier was viewed as being a hassle.

WINTER BEHAVIOURS

• Older People are those most at risk of death during the winter, are those most likely to be admitted to hospital and are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty.

• Older people die due to less resistance to viruses, particularly those with underlying health conditions.

• Older people are less likely to turn on and/or up their heating during colder periods but are less able to regulate their own body temperatures

• Older people are more likely to have low income levels and are less likely to take up means tested benefits.

• Older people are more likely to live in poor housing with poor insulation.

• A lack of neighbourliness and a general apathy towards older people.

WHY ARE OLDER PEOPLE DYING?

This Get Ready for Winter Campaign is practical

– it is not about processes and strategies, it is

about real help when older people need it.

The following ideas are being worked up:

PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE

Winter Warmth Telephone Helpline

General Advice Raising awareness

Information on local contacts & services

Temperature cards Information booklets

Winter Warmth Lunches Emergency Food

Emergency Heaters Electric Blankets

Donate a Coat Donate a blanket

Knitted items: socks, hot water bottle covers etc.

PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE

Energy Efficiency

Benefits Assistance and “Financial Health Checks”

Help with debt and bills

Help finding a cheaper energy supplier

Social Tariffs and Priority Registers

Emergency Funds

PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE

• This will be the first year of what we hope will be an annual campaign.

• Preparation will start in April each year.

• We will use learning points and identified risks to inform the campaign from one winter to another.

• We will use Excess Winter Mortality statistics, Fuel Poverty Indicators and National Reports to map trends.

• We will proactively target those most vulnerable.

THE CAMPAIGN

• All GP’s, Hospitals, Social Work Teams, OT, Practice and District Nurses, Domiciliary Agencies, Care Homes, Sheltered Housing Managers, Libraries, Housing Offices, Voluntary Organisations etc will be briefed and requested to distribute information.

• Local social and community groups to encourage a greater take up by those most at risk.

• The campaign will be promoted in the local press and local radio, including Hayes FM, hospital radio, etc.

• Maximise the promotion of the Campaign at local events.

• The use of social and digital networking media and websites.

PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES

THE PARTNERSHIP

Our aim is to develop a Hillingdon Partnership “Get Ready for Winter” Campaign that will be unique in the breadth and scope of it’s remit.

A campaign that will lead the way in bringing together statutory and voluntary organisations and individuals, to fulfil it’s aim of ensuring no older person in Hillingdon is left alone in the cold during winter. We want to raise awareness at every opportunity and ensure the campaign is supported at the highest level.

• Keep Active

• Eat Well

• Warm clothing

• Keep your home warm

• Seasonal Flu Jab

TOP TIPS TO STAY WARM THIS WINTER

Thank you

Any questions?