Keeping Well This Winter

During the winter months, we need to take extra care of ourselves. As we get older the colder weather and winter bugs affect us more. Here is the good news, let’s get ready for winter. These are some tips on making sure that you stay warm, keep happy and stay safe.

Keep active

Wearing warmer clothes and keeping active will overcome the unpredictable winter weather. Try not to sit for more than an hour if you can. Getting up, making a cup of tea or even doing some light housework can help to maintain strength and mobility. The important thing is to do what you are comfortable with.

A great way of keeping active and doing some gentle exercise is to attend the weekly Age UK Islington Sobell Better Get Together, a sports social. It’s as much about chatting over a cup of tea as it is about doing bowls, badminton or playing dominoes.  And a warm welcome is guaranteed!

Or there’s a weekly yoga and meditation Get Together which takes place on Zoom. We can help you to try out Zoom if you'd like!

To find out about our Get Togethers, see our website: https://bit.ly/3wyGLCF.  You can call our Helpline on 020 7281 6018 if you'd like to find out more about the events or how to get to them.

Covid-19 and flu vaccinations

Getting your Covid-19 booster jab and flu vaccinations are a good way of protecting yourself and your family and friends.

Flu vaccine

All adults aged 50 and over, and many adults with health conditions, are eligible for a free flu vaccine. You can book an appointment at your GP surgery or at many pharmacies. There is more information available on the NHS site, including a search to see which pharmacies are providing the vaccine in your area.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/

Covid-19 vaccine

For the latest information about who is eligible for a Covid booster, please see the NHS website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/london/our-work/covid-19-vaccination-programme-2/covid-19-vaccine-sites-in-london/

There are lots of places in Islington where you can get the Covid booster including pharmacies and vaccination centres. Islington Council have a page with further information:

https://www.islington.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-vaccinations

Stocking up on the essentials

It’s a good idea to make sure you have enough of your medications to last if you are unable to get out. Keep extra food in the cupboard or freezer, or if you don’t want to go out, then you could order your food online.

Eating well

Having nutritious and varied food is important for good health and wellbeing throughout life. Have at least one hot meal a day, but also have additional meals and snacks and include fruit and vegetables. Frozen vegetables are just as good as fresh. Remember it’s better to eat a bit of what you fancy than eat nothing at all. At winter we tend to stay indoors more so it may be a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement.

If you notice that your clothes are getting loser and you feel you are losing weight, it could be a sign that you are not eating enough. If you are feeling harder to prepare your food or losing your appetite then you should contact your GP, they can make an assessment and advise on ways of improving your diet and give you supplement drinks.

Energy bills

This winter is going to be tougher for most of us with the increasing energy costs. However there are ways of cutting your energy bills.

1. Contact your energy supplier to see if you are on the best tariff. Or you can you use a comparison site to find out the best deals.
2. Contact Thames Water who have a scheme which can reduce your bill if you are on a low income. Contact 0800 980 8800.
3. Contact Age UK Islington to find out ways of reducing your energy bills or for any financial help you may be entitled to or could apply for, on gethelp@ageukislington.org.uk or 020 7281 6018.

Checking your home is warm enough

It’s a good idea to check your home is warm enough and to service your heating once a year. It’s best to keep the heating on at a steady heat, rather than switching it on and off. You can regulate the heating throughout the day and night as you need it.  Living room temperatures should ideally be kept at 70F (21C) and above whereas bedroom temperatures should be kept at a minimum of 64F (18C).

Check to see if your curtains are not covering the radiators. If you are not using rooms, then turn down the radiators or even switch them off.  Keep the doors closed and close the curtains as it gets dark to keep the warmth in. A draught excluder against the front door can keep the hallway warmer.

Getting around – inside and outside

As we get older we may need to check our home is safe for us to get around. Age UK Islington can help organise for adaptations to help you feel confident in your home and to reduce your risk of falls.  We can also help with mobility aids, e.g. stair-lifts or getting a mobility scooter.

Let’s Talk – Support Group

Consider attending the Age UK Islington Let’s Talk session. This takes place once a month, with the option to attend in person, at St Luke’s Community Centre or online using Zoom. 

Let's Talk provides the opportunity to talk about anything and everything that's to do with Islington - whether it's something you're having difficulties with or something you've discovered that you want to share. The group decides what they want to get out of meeting, and will choose topics for ongoing/future monthly discussions.

It provides lots of useful tips and guidance about ways to save money, to get out and about and to keep fit and healthy.

For more information: https://ageukislington.microsoftcrmportals.com/letstalk/