OLD & COLD

Official statistics on winter deaths in 2004/5 showed an increase for the first time in five years with nearly 25,000 people over 75 dying needlessly.

However, according to Help the Aged every year up to £2.8 billion in available benefits goes unclaimed by 60-year-olds and over because they don't know that they are entitled to them.

Cold truth

On average around 20,000 older people die as a result of the winter and this figure rises to 40,000 during a cold winter.

The UK has a higher number of avoidable winter deaths than other similar European countries including Finland. One of the main causes is cold, damp homes and, as winter sets in, many older people are worried about heating costs.  

There has been a 40% hike in energy bills since 2003.  According to the Age Concern, almost 2.4m older people live in homes that are cold enough to cause illness.

Help the Aged estimate that over 1.4m households containing someone over the age of 65 are without proper heating or insulation.  

This year could see even more deaths if the Met Office's dire warnings of the coldest winter for over a decade come to pass.  So what can be done to help the 10m over 65s in the UK cope? 

Cold Weather Payments
If you get any pension credit, you will get an extra payment each week that the weather is very cold. This Cold Weather Payment is £8.50 a week and is made for any period of seven days when the temperature is freezing or below, or it is forecast to be that cold. This payment will be sent automatically - you do not have to claim it.

Winter Fuel Payment
Every household which includes someone aged 60 or more will get a Winter Fuel Payment this winter to help with their fuel bills. It is at least £200 per household and should be paid before Christmas, directly into your bank or building society account, or by cheque sent to your home.

Age-related payment
Each household with someone aged 70 or over will receive a one off £50 payment.

Over 80s payment
A household with someone aged 80 or over will receive a one off £100 payment alongside their Winter Fuel Payment

Warm front (England)
This Defra run scheme offers people the opportunity to receive a grant that can be put towards making their home better insulated against the cold.

You may qualify if you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord, and you receive an income-related benefit (for example Pension Credit or Income Support) or disability benefit.

The grant provides energy-efficiency advice, two energy-efficient light bulbs and a package of insulation and heating improvements, which are tailored to each home, up to the value of £2,700. 

The improvements can include the installation of gas, electric or oil central heating. Where the work approved is the installation of an oil-fired central heating system, you may be able to get a grant of up to £4,000. The scheme is managed by the Eaga Partnership Ltd, who can help you with your application and arrange for the work to be done.

There are equivalent schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Here are some things you can do at home to keep yourselves warm...

• Central heating - turn it on, check that it works properly, no leaks or blockages, or get it serviced. If it's a gas appliance, make sure you contact a CORGI registered installer. This means they have been approved by the National Watchdog for Gas Safety. Appliances should also be checked for safety annually.
• Electric blankets - anything 10 years old or more should be replaced if possible and certainly serviced in line with manufacturers' guidelines.
• Sticking aluminium foil down the back of a radiator close to the wall increase the radiator's efficiency, reflecting the heat back into the room.
• Insulation: pipes might need lagging, and heat is lost through draughty doors and windows. Cheap and easy-to-use draft excluders are available in DIY stores. 
• The letterbox can let in loads of cold air, especially when newspapers are left in them. Banish the breeze with a brush-type cover for the letterbox.
• Open keyholes also let in loads of cold air. Room temperature can drop ten degrees in one hour. The simple way to remedy this is to buy a little round metal flap - or escutcheon plate - to cover the hole. 
• Stopcocks. Turn them regularly to make sure they work and haven't seized up. An insurance company won't pay out if your flat is flooded because you're not able to turn off the stopcock in the event of a burst main.
   
• Use a luggage label to identify stopcocks, so you can quickly isolate water pipes if you do suffer a burst.
• If you have outdoor taps for the garden, make sure you turn off the supply to the outside tap in the winter to prevent the water freezing up all the way into the house.

For more advice call:

• The National Home Heat helpline on 0800 33 66 99 (Mon - Fri - 9am to 8pm and Sat - 10am to 3pm)

This helpline will be able to assist vulnerable people in a number of ways, including:

• Identifying grants that are available to make homes more energy efficient
• Arranging alternative payment methods that will suit the caller's circumstances
• Carrying out a benefits check up to ensure they are receiving maximum income
• Accessing a priority service team in each electricity and gas supplier to provide specialist advice
• Linking with other support agencies

The Home Heat Helpline is staffed by expert advisors, including former health professionals, who are trained to give advice on how to stay warm during cold weather. They will also be trained and authorised to deal with intermediaries calling on behalf of vulnerable customers, such as friends, carers, social workers or health visitors

See Useful Links for more information and find out how to save up to £300 on heating bills

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