|
Although the present spell of very cold weather is seasonal and building snowmen can be fun, there is also a serious side to this situation in terms of the impact that prolonged cold weather can have, particularly upon the elderly and vulnerable.
We should all be aware of the problems that can occur for other residents and close neighbours and now is an important time to be a good neighbour and to watch out for others in your local community.
The following practical advice will help you to cope with the current cold conditions and where you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours please call in on them to check that they are OK especially if you have not seen them for a day or two.
Practical Hints
- Keep curtains drawn and doors closed to block out draughts.
- Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal per day if possible. Regular intake of food maintains energy levels in cold weather.
- Wear several light layers of clothing rather than one chunky layer – warm air is trapped between the layers.
- Keep as active as possible and avoid prolonged periods of sitting down.
- Wrap up well if you need to go outside and particularly wear a hat as heat is mostly lost from the head.
- Try to keep your home at the recommended temperature of 18-21º (64-70ºF) but if you cannot afford to heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before going to bed.
Supporting Others
- Check up on friends, relatives and neighbours who may be more vulnerable to cold weather. Such weather is particularly dangerous for older people or people with serious illness, and so if you haven’t seen a neighbour for a few days, please check on them to see if they are warm, safe and have enough food and drink. Doing some shopping for them so that they don’t have to go out would be very helpful as the risk of falling is that much greater.
- Our staff when they are out on the estates, visit tenants regularly. They too, will be keeping a watching eye on any particularly vulnerable residents they visit to ensure that they are alright.
Physical symptoms of hypothermia
In serious cases of prolonged exposure to cold conditions hypothermia can set in, sometimes without the individual realising it. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s temperature drops from its normal body temperature of 37ºC (98.6º) down to 35º
(95 ºF) which isn’t really a large drop.
Typical symptoms of mild hypothermia include:-
- shivering in an attempt to keep organs at a normal temperature
- feeling cold
- loss of energy
- feelings of being less able to tolerate the cold than normal
- cold and pale skin
Symptoms of moderate hypothermia include:
- uncontrollable (often violent) shivering
- inability to think clearly or to pay attention
- loss of judgement and reasoning
- confusion
- difficulty in moving around or thinking
- shaking hands
- feeling fearful
- memory loss
- drowsiness
- slurred speech
- slow shallow breathing and weak pulse
Severe hypothermia causes:
- loss of limb control
- unconsciousness
- shallow or no breathing
- weak, irregular or no pulse
- dilated pupils
If you visit a neighbour who is displaying signs of mild or moderate hypothermia, check to see if they have any relatives who can be contacted for help. If they don’t, advice can be obtained through NHS Direct by telephoning 0845 46 47. Advice is also available from the Council’s Adult Services Department.
If you find a neighbour with symptoms of severe hypothermia you should call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance. The important message is that it is better to be safe than sorry and any signs should not be ignored.
Advice is also available on the following websites:
|
A to Z
Apply for Housing
Repairs
Pay your rent