Severe Weather

More people get ill in winter and the number of deaths rises. There is a direct link between cold weather and the higher death rate, especially amongst older people and others in at-risk groups. Remember - winter needn't be dangerous if you take the right steps.

Leicestershire Adult Social Care Services have circulated a 'Keep Warm Keep Well' Winter Guide to all vulnerable older people that they are in contact with. This booklet provides advice about actions that older people and their carers can take themselves to keep well during winter.

There is also a Winter Contact Card for people to write down the telephone numbers of people they would need to contact in an emergency such as the plumber or heating engineer, the local GP, the chemist or the local shopkeeper.

 

Information has been issued through meals on wheels providers, home care assistants, day centres or lunch clubs.

 

Copies of the Keep Warm Keep Well Winter Guide and the Winter Contact Card can be obtained from the Adult Social Care Service Communication Team on 0116 305 7404, (or see below for downloadable copies)

 

Age Concern Leicestershire and Rutland can also give general advice and put people in touch with local services. In case of very severe weather they operate an Emergency telephone line and publicise the special telephone number on local radio.

Useful Links

• Keep Warm Keep Well
• Leicestershire County Council
• Winter Fuel Payment information from the Pension Service
• Latest information from the Met Office