Death of two older people in Cumbria
Published on 03 December 2010 01:00 PM
Commenting on the death of two older people in Cumbria, Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director at Age UK, said:
'We are greatly saddened to hear of the death of these two people in Cumbria and our thoughts and sympathies go out to their families.
'Tragic incidents like this are a reminder of how important it is to take extra care in these icy and cold conditions. If older people fall they are more susceptible to injury and can often struggle to get back on their feet.
'When there is snow and ice, we would advise people to only go outside in exceptional circumstances. If you do need to go out, be prepared for the conditions, for example wear sturdy shoes with good grips, dress warmly and try to keep to routes that have been salted.
'Good neighbours can make all the difference to the frailer members of society in this cold weather and we would encourage everyone to check on older people locally, particularly those that live alone. By offering to do any shopping, collect medicines or dog walking you could help prevent older people from having to make potentially dangerous trips outside.'
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Keeping Warm
'There are some simple steps people can follow to help keep warm and well such as keeping moving - even if it's just doing a bit of cleaning or making a cup of tea, eating nutritious hot meals and drinks, making sure their seasonal flu jab is up-to-date and keeping homes as warm as possible and draft free. The recommended temperature for rooms during the day is 21ºC, but people should not hesitate to increase this should they feel cold. Home insulation can also have a significant impact on heating bills.
'It's also vital that people are aware of financial support available to them which can help with heating bills, such as the Winter Fuel Payment. People can find out about the help and benefits available to them and more information on the Spread the Warmth campaign by calling Age UK Advice free on 0800 169 6565 or by visiting www.spreadthewarmth.org.uk
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