By Tom Philips at January 8, 2023

Guide to Keeping Well this Winter For the Elderly – Part 1

This is the first article in a two-part series. The second article can be found here.

It is not a little-known fact that Winter is the most vulnerable time for the elderly in terms of health risks. We are here to explain what those health risks are, and what you can do to stay as healthy as possible.

Why are the Elderly More Vulnerable in the Winter?

The elderly are more at risk in the winter for several reasons. Firstly, there are certain conditions that occur as a result of cold weather, and they can cause serious illness or even death.

Secondly, pensioners with pre-existing conditions are more prone to become more ill when they are exposed to cold weather. Finally, certain accidents that leave long-lasting injuries are more likely to happen in the winter.

Health Conditions that Affect the Elderly in the Winter

Below, we list some common health conditions that are know to affect the elderly during the winter:

1. Hypothermia

The most obvious health condition that occurs as a result of cold weather is hypothermia, which is when the body temperature drops below 35C, and symptoms such as slow breathing, slurred speech, pale skin, fatigue, and shivering often occur.

The cause of hypothermia is always a dangerous drop in body temperature, but this can be brought on by various things. Elderly people living in poorly insulated homes are more at risk, particularly if they cannot afford to heat their homes.

The elderly are also more at risk if they spend a lot of time outside without wrapping up warm, if they get their clothes wet, or if they fall into cold water (1).

If you believe an elderly person is suffering from hypothermia, the first thing you need to do is call 999 for immediate medical attention.

You should also try to warm them up by wrapping them in clothes and blankets, moving them indoors, and giving them a hot drink. Finally, make sure you stay beside them until help arrives, and try to keep them awake.

Under no circumstances should you try to warm them up manually by rubbing their arms and legs, give them a hot water bottle, or offer an alcoholic drink.

2. Dehydration

You may not think of dehydration as a winter illness, but people are more likely to get dehydrated in the winter than they are in the Summer. This is because they are less likely to feel thirsty, so they either do not believe they need to drink as much water, or they forget to.

A study from the University of New Hampshire confirmed that dehydration is more common in the winter for the above reasons, as well as for the fact that the body has to ‘work harder under the weight of heavier clothes, and sweat evaporates quickly in cold, dry air’ (2).

Another reason for dehydration being a problem in winter is that people are more likely to have the heating on in their homes, which causes dry air to circulate indoors. This can cause you to lose fluids (3).

Though anyone can become dehydrated, it is more common amongst the elderly for various reasons. One reason is that their kidneys no longer work as well as they used to, so their body has less water composition.

Thirst signals can also be a cause, as it is harder for older people to know when they need a drink, especially if they have memory problems.

Some signs of dehydration in older people are: dark-coloured urine, confusion, few tears, infrequent urination, and dizziness. If you notice these signs in someone, you should try to get them to drink water, and get an oral rehydration sachet from a pharmacy (4). If they are in a bad way, take them to A&E.

3. Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when someone is in an extremely cold environment (below –0.55C) and their skin is damaged by the cold. It occurs in stages, so some people may get frostnip and recover from it without lasting damage when they warm up again.

However, it can also progress into frostbite which can permanently damage the skin and tissues.

The symptoms of frostbite include: skin that is numb, appears waxy, and/or is a different colour i.e. blue, grey, purple, red etc. Other symptoms include joint and muscle stiffness, and clumsiness.

If you encounter someone with frostbite, you need to try to get them warm as soon as possible by getting them indoors, and it is vital that you call 999. Medical attention is necessary not only for the frostbite, but also in the event that the individual is suffering from hypothermia (which is likely).

The reason frostbite is more prevalent among the elderly is that their body temperature tends to be lower, so they cannot tolerate cold weather as much as younger people can.

What’s more, they are more likely to suffer from certain health conditions that can increase their risk for frostbite, such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and arthritis.

Much like hypothermia. frostbite is more likely to occur if an elderly person is outside in the cold for long periods of time, particularly if they are not wearing enough layers, if their clothes are damp or wet, and if they have a medical condition that puts them at more risk of developing frostbite.

4. Winter itch

The medical term for winter itch is pruritus hiemalis. It is characterised by very dry, itchy, rough skin that is often more severe at nighttime. It usually affects people’s legs, and never affects the face, hands, feet, or scalp.

As people with this condition are likely to scratch their skin to relieve the itch, the condition often gets worse and can result in secondary folliculitus, which is inflammation in the hair follicle (5).

If you catch the winter itch at the early stages, you can prevent it from getting worse by showering less frequently and with cooler water, bathing in baking soda, wearing hydrocortisone cream, and visiting your GP (6). Fortunately, most cases of the winter itch are resolved within weeks, especially if the weather is starting to warm up again.

The reason we associate the winter itch with pensioners is that they are more likely to have thin, dry skin. Sometimes, this is a result of medical conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes. However, it can also be caused by a reduced frequency of sweating, which is more common in women as a result of the menopause.

As for why the winter itch does not tend to affect people outside of the winter months, there is less moisture in the air in the winter, and the cold weather can dry out the top layers of the skin. Having said that, it has been known for the winter itch to occur in other months, and this is usually a result of air conditioning (which circulates dry air) (7).

5. Flu

Influenza, commonly referred to as flu, is a viral illness that can affect anyone, but is more likely to affect the elderly or anyone with a weak immune system.

Symptoms of influenza include: body aches, fatigue, sore throat, fever, headaches, cough, runny nose, loss of appetite, and stomach pain.

Often, these symptoms will reduce in severity and eventually come to an end within a few days or weeks if you get enough rest, stay hydrated, and take painkillers. However, the flu is more likely to cause severe complications, and even death, in the elderly.

The most obvious risk of old people having the flu is that they can develop hypothermia as a result of their body temperature, which is already lower than average, decreasing.

However, there is also an increased risk of having a stroke (2–3x more risk) or a heart attack (3–5x more risk) for people above 65 years old who have the flu (8).

It goes without saying that you can suffer from the flu in the summer months as well as in the winter. However, influenza is more prevalent in the winter as it is more likely to spread, given that people spend more time inside.

What’s more, we tend to get less vitamin D in the winter, and most Brits do not take vitamin D as a supplement, so their immune system is more likely to weaken. A study found that 52% of Brits were not aware that they needed 10mg of vitamin D on a daily basis (9).

6. Heart attacks

A study from Lundt University in Sweden found that it is much more likely for heart attacks to occur on colder days, particularly if it is not sunny, the air pressure is lower, and there are high winds (10).

There are several possible reasons for this. Firstly, we are more susceptible to illnesses such as the flu in winter months, as we have already discussed. Having the flu increases your risk of a heart attack, so it is logical that heart attacks are more common when the flu is more prevalent.

Secondly, more pressure may be placed on the heart in cold weather, as the blood vessels closest to the skin work hard to conserve our body heat by constricting. When the heart is under more pressure, we are at more risk of having a heart attack.

Finally, though the study did not conclude this, it could be argued that a lack of exercise in the winter could be one cause of the increased rate of heart attacks. This is because people are less likely to get out and exercise when the weather is cold, and idleness is known to lead to heart problems.

As for why this relates to older people, they are more likely to have a heart attack in general, so they should take more caution in the winter, when the risk is elevated for everyone. Conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol are more common in the elderly, and they are risk factors for heart issues, particularly heart attacks.

7. Strokes

The chances of having a stroke are not significantly increased in the winter, but there is enough of an increase for it to be worth noting.

When the weather is cold, the blood can thicken, which increases the chances of developing a blood clot that can lead to a stroke. Furthermore, the blood vessels constrict and create more pressure, which also makes a stroke more likely.

Finally, as we discussed the risk of a heart attack, people are less likely to be physically active in the winter. This increases the risk of developing depression, which can result in a stroke.

Older people are more likely to have a stroke as their arteries are narrower and harder, and there is usually more fat on their arteries (11). They are also more likely to have high blood pressure, which is one common cause of strokes.

75% of strokes occur in people over the age of 65. Coupled with the fact that the risk of hospitalisation with a stroke increases by 6% for every 5 degrees of temperature change, it is evident that the elderly should be wary of the risk of a stroke in the winter.

8. Respiratory diseases

Respiratory diseases are diseases that affect one’s breathing, such as asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Just as the flu is more common in the winter months, so are the aforementioned respiratory diseases, which affect a lot of pensioners. The dry winter air can cause you to produce more mucus, and it can irritate your airways, which makes it harder to breathe.

The highest death rate for asthma is in January, with the lowest rates in the summer months, which proves that the cold weather is not good news for people with asthma (12).

Pensioners should pay careful attention to any respiratory disease symptoms in the winter, as their muscles will be weakening as they age, so they are likely to struggle more with breathing as the years go on.

The best way to deal with this, aside from seeing a doctor, is to exercise to strengthen your lungs, and to keep as warm as possible in the cold weather (13).

Accidents that Can Affect the Elderly in the Winter

Below, we list some of the common accidents that are know to affect the elderly during the winter:

1. Car accidents

It is more likely that you will get in a car accident in the winter, with November being the month with the most car accidents (14). The most common dates of the year for car accidents are the 19th January, the 2nd November, the 4th December, the 30th November, and the 27th June.

With four of the five being in the winter, we can clearly see that there is an increased risk of car accidents in the cold weather. The reason this is something that the elderly should note in particular is that they are more likely to cause accidents due to a lack of observations (15).

A study by the PA news agency supports this, as it found that four in 10 elderly drivers involved in a collision had not looked properly.

To keep your risk as low as possible, one option would be to turn to public transport and walking. However, not all elderly people are content with this as they enjoy the freedom of driving. If you do want to keep driving, we would advise leaving plenty of time for your journeys, watching your speed, and doing observations the way you would in a driving test.

2. Falls

When elderly people have a fall, they risk serious injury and even death, and this is all the more true if they fall outside in the winter. When your bones are already more fragile, and you are walking in icy conditions, there is a chance that you could have a fall that would result in an injury.

We advise older people to be very cautious when walking in cold conditions, and to avoid doing this if the conditions are icy. Just like driving, you should leave more time for your journey, and walk slowly and cautiously.

You should also make sure you are dressed for the weather, which includes wearing shoes with good grip, and plenty of layers. This will keep you warmer, which will prevent your muscles from being stiff, and reduce the likelihood of falling.

3. House fires

House fires are more common in the winter months as we are more likely to use electrical methods to heat our homes, and when they malfunction, it can create dangerous situations.

Plenty of elderly people use electric blankets as a way to stay warm without having to put the heating on, which can be very expensive.

When using an electric blanket, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which often includes unplugging the blanket before you go to bed, not keeping hot water bottles in the same bed, and not rolling up the blanket too tightly. Otherwise, there is a chance that the blanket will catch fire.

Portable heaters are another common feature in the houses of pensioners in the winter, and these can also be risky. Again, you need to make sure you unplug your heater when you go to bed, and you also need to prevent it from falling over, so it is advisable to secure it against a wall.

4. Carbon monoxide poisoning

Finally, elderly people are more at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in the winter, as it is more likely that they will have the heating on for long periods of time.

What’s more, the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning often mimic those of the flu, and with the flu being much more common in the winter, many people believe they are simply suffering from the flu.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are: dizziness, headache, chest pain, confusion, vomiting, and an upset stomach. If you do not realise that the issue is carbon monoxide and you do not get out of the environment or fix the problem, you can die from the poisoning.

Older people are more likely to suffer from serious symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, particularly if they already struggle with their breathing, or if they have conditions such as heart disease or anaemia.

The best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to have your appliances serviced every year. It is also important to pay special attention to any symptoms you experience, instead of attributing them to a minor illness.

Which Health Conditions Can Make the Elderly More Prone to Illness in the Winter?

Certain health conditions are more prevalent among older people, and they make people in this age group vulnerable to experiencing serious illness in the winter, or even death.

1. Diabetes

Older people are more at risk of developing diabetes, and symptoms of diabetes tend to be worse in the winter as blood sugar levels rise.

It is advised that anyone with diabetes should try to eat a balanced diet and stay active, so this is particularly important if you are above a certain age and if the weather conditions are cold.

2. Thyroid problems

In the winter, your thyroid has to put in even more work to regulate your body temperature, which can cause you to experience worse symptoms including fatigue and aching.

Thyroid issues can often mimic normal signs of ageing, so it is important to get checked if you are experiencing multiple symptoms of hypothyroidism in case it is not simply down to your age.

3. Kidney disease

Elderly people are more likely to have kidney disease, and the symptoms are worse in cold weather. This means these people need to pay particular attention to staying warm and hydrated in the winter.

Guide to Keep Well this Winter For the Elderly – Our Top Tips

Below, we offer some tips for keeping well this winter:

1. Check your eligibility for government grants

The government offers some support for the elderly in the winter in the form of government grants. By definition, a grant is a form of aid that does not have to be paid back, so pensioners can benefit from this help regardless of their income.

Firstly, we have the Winter Fuel Payment in the UK, which is a payment of £250–£600 that is available to people who receive the State Pension or another social security benefit. It is usually transferred into your account at the beginning of winter, but it may come through in January.

The great news about the Winter Fuel Payment is that it will not prevent you from claiming other state benefits.

Secondly, there are cold weather payments provided by the government when the temperature drops below a certain degree. These are not consistent monthly payments, but one-off payments to help people who are struggling to heat their homes.

Though this grant is not just for pensioners, anyone who claims pension credit will be able to benefit from cold weather payments, and the payment will be automatic.

2. Check your eligibility for benefits

You can check whether you are eligible for state benefits on the government website. This page tells you which benefits you are entitled to according to your personal situation.

Some benefits are means-tested, which means you would only qualify if you earned below a certain amount, but others are not, so you could claim them regardless of your income.

As well as qualifying to receive money from the government, pensioners can benefit from free or discounted travel. A free bus pass is available to all people of State Pension age, and discounted rail travel is available through the senior railcard. This reduces your train costs by a third.

Finally, there are benefits that can help you with short-term costs when you are struggling with money temporarily. This may apply if you need to purchase an important expensive item (e.g. home improvements or furniture), and once you have funded this, you will return to being financially secure.

You can do this by applying for a budgeting loan, which you are eligible for if you have pension credit. You will borrow this money for a short period of time, and then you will only need to repay what you borrowed.

3. Get your home insulated

Home insulation is a great way to keep your house warm in the winter, which can prevent you from getting ill. It would also be useful in the summer, as it would keep your home nice and cool.

Overall, if you are in your later life and you insulate your home, you are preventing it from getting damp, which means you will be living in a safer environment.

You can access home insulation grants if you are over 70 years old and you live in the UK. One example of this is the loft insulation grant. If your loft is not insulated, you may be losing up to a third of your heating costs through your roof (16). You could resolve this for free, which would keep your bills low and keep you healthy.

Another example is the boiler grant. By accessing an energy-efficient boiler for free, you could save up to £300 a year on your fuel bills, which means you would be able to heat your home more affordably (17).

4. Try to stay active

If you stay active as you age, you will reduce your risk of developing health conditions that tend to affect older people. It is also a good idea to keep active in the winter, as it keeps you warm.

Exercise is also a great way to stay mentally fit, as it gives you something to focus on and allows you to release cortisol, which can lower your stress and anxiety. Exercising with other people can be a great way to keep your mental health in check, as it ensures regular socialisation with likeminded people.

By encouraging you to stay active, we are of course not saying that you need a gym membership to stay fit in old age. However, we advocate for daily exercise, even if that’s a ten minute walk close to your home.

The more you get moving, the better your flexibility, balance and strength will be, which not only reduces your chances of having a fall, but reduces the chances of a fall seriously impacting your health.

5. Get your flu vaccine

If you are aged 65 or older and you live in the UK, you can get the flu vaccine for free. We highly recommend this, as the flu is not enjoyable for anyone, but it can be deadly for pensioners.

The symptoms tend to be a fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, and headaches. Please do not assume that flu is minor just because it is common — it is always best for older people to do all they can to avoid getting the flu.

The reason it is so important for elderly people to get their yearly flu vaccine is that flu mutates regularly, so you need to ensure you are protected against new outbreaks.

You can get your flu vaccine by visiting your GP or a pharmacy, usually from September to November. If you are over 65, you should get a reminder to get your flu vaccine, but if not, contact your GP and ask to schedule an appointment for one.

6. Get wrapped up

It may seem like an obvious tip, but by staying wrapped up, you can reduce the likelihood of getting ill in the winter a significant amount. Try to stay inside when the weather is very cold, and stay warm by heating your home, wearing plenty of layers, and drinking hot drinks.

When you are outside, make sure you wear enough layers, take extra clothes with you if there is a chance of your clothes getting wet, and reduce the amount of time you spend in the cold weather.

For example, try to stick to days out that involve being indoors, rather than long winter walks.

Not only will this prevent illness and serious health conditions, but it will prevent muscle stiffness, which can cause a lot of pain in the winter, and can contribute to falls.

7. Take caution when leaving the house

When you have to leave the house in the winter, make sure you are being extra careful in order to reduce your risk of falling. You can do this by wearing weather-appropriate clothing, giving yourself enough time to get to your destination, and travelling with someone else who can help you if you do trip or fall.

We also recommend keeping the essentials in your bag so that you are prepared if colder weather hits. This may include extra clothes, a flask with a hot drink inside, snacks, and handy items like hand warmers.

8. Eat a balanced diet

Eating well will prevent you from developing serious conditions, especially heart conditions, different types of cancer, and diabetes. This requires eating a balanced diet, with a focus on non-processed foods.

Eating a balanced diet also keeps your skin and teeth healthy and helps you to sleep better, which will boost your health all round. It also improves your memory, which reduces your chances of developing dementia.

9. Boost your immune system

If you boost your immune system, it will have lasting effects and may prevent you from developing certain conditions in the winter. There are many ways you can do this, and we will suggest just a few today.

Firstly, make sure you visit your GP when you are feeling unwell, as this will nip any problems you have in the bud. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t go to the GP for a very minor illness, as the pharmacy will usually be sufficient, but if you have an ongoing issue, you should certainly book an appointment.

Secondly, make sure you are getting enough sleep. Sleep is essential for the immune system, as it reduces stress and allows time for your body to recuperate and heal from any illness.

Unfortunately, many elderly people suffer from insomnia, so it may not always be possible to get good quality sleep. If this is a problem for you, we strongly advise you to go to the doctor, as they may be able to help you with this.

Washing your hands is a simple but effective way to boost your immune system, as it protects you against germs and reduces your chances of infection.

More people are now doing this regularly as the result of the pandemic, but we advise you to keep this up regardless of whether COVID rates are bad or not. You should focus on doing this when you have been to the toilet and before eating.

Finally, make sure you are taking the right supplements, especially if your diet isn’t balanced. Most people do not have a perfect diet, and therefore vitamins are necessary to keep them in good health.

It is recommended that Brits take vitamin D due to the lack of sunlight, but many people would also benefit from taking vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

If it is possible, please get a blood test to determine whether you are deficient in any vitamins, and this way you can avoid taking vitamins you don’t need.

How Will the Cost of Living Crisis Affect the Elderly this Winter?

The cost of living crisis is set to affect many families negatively, but pensioners are particularly vulnerable as they are less likely to work, so they can only rely on the money they have saved for retirement.

If they have enough money in their pension and savings, they may be more comfortable, but some people have not saved up enough money to be able to survive the cost of living crisis.

One way the cost of living crisis is going to affect pensioners is that it will make it harder for them to pay their energy bills. This could have a significant impact on their health, as they may be forced to rarely heat their home and have cool showers.

The cost of living crisis may also prevent them from purchasing the same amount of food as they used to, and given that the cheapest food is often unhealthy, they may not be able to afford a balanced diet. As we mentioned earlier, this can lead to many bad health conditions.

Finally, transport is something else that will be negatively affected. This may mean pensioners can take fewer trains to visit loved ones, or if they drive, they may not be able to afford to fill the car with petrol every week and pay for any repairs.

Tips For Surviving the 2022 Cost of Living Crisis

Unfortunately, we are seeing the cost of living rise everywhere, from sky-high energy bills to higher prices in our local corner shops. It is up to the government to do something about this, and we can campaign for change, but when it comes to surviving the crisis on an everyday basis, here are some tips.

Firstly, make sure you create a tight budget that you can stick to. Try to refrain from spending money where you don’t need to, which applies to restaurants, expensive days out, and subscriptions that you don’t use much. This isn’t easy to do, but it can save you plenty of money in the long run.

Secondly, consider the things you spend the most money on and figure out whether you can reduce this. If this is bills, find out whether you could be paying less if you switched to a new provider, or try to save money by having shorter showers or not using the heating unless it is absolutely necessary.

If most of your money goes to food, perhaps try shopping in a lower cost supermarket, and buying your weekly food based on the offers available.

Finally, find out if there is any support in your community for people who are struggling with the cost of living. You may be able to make the most of food banks and charity shops, which can keep your expenses low without depriving you of the essentials.

How to Help Your Elderly Loved Ones or Neighbours this Winter

If you know that your elderly loved one or neighbour is struggling this winter, the first thing you should do is reach out and ask them what they need. You may be able to do their weekly shopping for them, bring them meals occasionally, or introduce them to technology that can keep them connected with their community.

Please remember that not everyone wants help, so it is important to be sensitive when approaching people about their challenging situation. You could perhaps state that you are looking to help people in the community, and they are welcome to contact you if they need anything.

Make sure you make people aware of the help that is provided by the government, as not all pensioners will know about the schemes and grants that could improve their financial situation. Many of these are offered to pensioners automatically, but sometimes an application is required.

It is a great idea to volunteer in your community, such as working at a food bank or as an elderly befriender. This means you wouldn’t have to approach people on an individual level, as an organisation would arrange this for you.

It may also help you to avoid offending people by offering help, as they would have already registered interest in receiving help.

If your elderly loved one is struggling this winter, make sure you encourage them to keep fit and healthy by going on walks with them and perhaps bringing them meals. If they are suffering with their health, encourage them to see their doctor.

How Can Equity Release Warehouse Help Me this Winter?

Equity release is not a scheme that should be pursued by every pensioner, as it can cause more problems than it resolves. However, some people would benefit from equity release hugely, and we want to ensure these people have the opportunity to discover how taking out equity could change their lives.

Equity release is available to all people above the age of 55 who have a home that is worth £70,000 or more.

It is preferable that you do not have an existing mortgage, but if you do, you can use the equity loan to pay this off. It is also preferable that you have a good credit rating, but this is by no means essential.

The idea behind equity release is that you may have a very valuable property but this does not necessarily mean that you have plenty of money that you can spend freely. Equity release allows pensioners to access the money that is tied up in their property so that they can benefit from the value of their home.

The reason this helps many pensioners stay well in winter is that they can spend their equity loan on anything they want. They could spend it on their bills, which would allow them to keep their homes heated and therefore prevent illness.

They could pay for home insulation for the same reason. Some people choose to pay off their debts, which means all of their money is theirs and can be spent on things that make retirement more comfortable.

If you have a certain disability, you may even be able to access funds for home improvements, to keep your home as safe as possible for you. You would do this by getting an enhanced lifetime mortgage and providing medical notes to prove that you are eligible for this equity release plan.

If you do not release equity and you do not have enough money to fund your retirement, you may end up in a precarious financial situation, which puts you at risk of experiencing later life poverty. However, by taking out money from your home, you can prevent this.

This is because the money you borrow does not have to be paid back, so you do not have to worry about being in debt in the traditional sense. The money is only collected when you pass away or enter long-term care, so it is not your responsibility.

Some people worry about how their family would cope being left with this debt. However, if you get a no negative equity guarantee with your equity release plan, you will not have to leave your debt to your family, as the equity release lender will take the money from your house sale and nothing more.

If you do not have a high income, you could still benefit from this scheme, and it may in fact be more advisable for you to get involved. As there are no repayments, there is no need for you to prove that you have a high income outside of equity release.

If you are interested in using equity release to keep well this winter, get in touch with us on 0330 058 1579 and ask us about how you can get started with equity release. The process takes around 6–8 weeks, and the first thing you do after seeking advice and choosing a plan is make an application to an equity release provider.