Well Winter Guide

Transcript

www.islington.gov.uk/wellwinter Well Winter Your Winter Warmth and Health Guide wellwinter 1 Contents Keep warm and cut your bills 3 Keep warm and cut your bills • Get advice • Grants • Energy Doctor in the Home • Getting the best deal • Top tips for saving energy Energy Doctor in the Home The Energy Advice Team can offer advice on saving energy in the home and what grants or other schemes are available to help you save energy. Visit them at 222 Upper Street, call free on 0800 953 1221 or email [email protected]. Energy Doctors can visit your home providing advice on how to save energy, on understanding your bills and meters and how to use your heating system efficiently. Grants 5 Benefits and debt There are many grants to help you save money and keep your home warm. • Help towards winter bills • Claiming your benefits • Debt and disconnection • Get a free Well Winter Check • HomeSmart • Preventing colds and flu • Get your flu jab • Eat and drink well • Stay active • Free Health Checks PLEASE (Private Landlords Energy Award Scheme) Check and Switch to pay less for your energy This scheme assists private landlords in the installation of improved heating and insulation as identified by an Environmental Health Officer. If you find changing energy suppliers difficult, you can now contact Islington Council for advice and support. In fact, for vulnerable residents Islington’s new ‘Energy Doctor PLUS’ service can come to your home and help you shop around for the cheapest energy deals, and switch to a new supplier. A grant may be available for owner-occupiers, leaseholders and private landlords to replace gas boilers that are F or G rated. • Reduce the risk of trips and falls • If you have a trip or fall • Protect yourself from bogus callers • Watch out for carbon monoxide • What to do if there is carbon monoxide spillage from my appliance? wellwinter Warm Home Discount Grants are available for gas central heating works, providing you are an owner-occupier or leaseholder and in receipt of a means tested or disability benefit. Boiler Replacement Programme 12 Stay safe They can also fit some energy saving measures such as draught exclusion, reflective radiator panels and energy saving light bulbs. Contact the Energy Advice Team for more information. Certain groups, such as those in receipt of Pension Credit, people on disability benefits, or families with children under 5 on means-tested benefits, are entitled to a £135 discount on their energy bill. Call the Energy Advice Team or your electricity supplier for details. Safe and Warm 8 Stay well 2 Get advice All of the above are subject to funding being available. Contact the Energy Advice Team to find out more. wellwinter For more information contact 0800 923 1221, 020 7527 2410, [email protected], www.islington.gov.uk/fuelswitch. 3 Keep warm cut your bills Benefits andand debt Top no-cost tips for saving energy • Turn your central heating down by 1°C, you could cut your bills by up to 10% • Set your hot water thermostat to 60°C, you could save up to £10 per year • Close curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows • Always turn lights off when you leave a room • Put lids on saucepans when cooking – this saves energy and reduces condensation Getting the best deal You can often save money by switching to a cheaper gas and electricity supplier. Even pre-payment meter customers or people with fuel debt under £500 can change supplier. Call Islington Fuel Switch on 0800 410 1420 or visit www.islington.gov.uk/fuelswitch. The average saving for those using the service is £140 a year! • Avoid filling the kettle more than you need to • Always wash a full load in your washing machine and use the low temperature programme - modern detergents work just as well at 30°C Help towards winter bills Claiming your benefits There are two benefits that are paid to help towards winter bills – Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments. The Income Maximisation Service will check that you are claiming everything that you should be claiming. If they find that you could be getting more benefits or tax credits, they will help you to claim the extra money. Cold Weather Payments If you are on a low income and getting certain benefits you may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment of £25 for each week that the temperature falls below freezing point. Payments are made automatically. If you are vulnerable the Islington Benefits Team can arrange a home visit to help you complete benefit applications. Call them on 020 7527 4990 or email [email protected] Winter Fuel Payments If you are aged 60 or over you may be able to get a Winter Fuel Payment of between £200 and £300 a year. Some people will automatically be paid a Winter Fuel Payment but if you are not getting any social security benefits, you may need to fill in a claim form to get a Winter Fuel Payment. Call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 915 1515. • Turn off your TV, DVD or computer as standby can really increase your fuel bills • Always put the plug in your basin or sink when running hot water • Wear several thin layers rather than one thick one to stay warm 4 wellwinter wellwinter 5 Debt and disconnection If you are having difficulty paying your gas and electricity bills you should let your energy company know as soon as possible. They employ people who are used to dealing with customers in difficulty and will try and arrange a payment plan that is suitable for you. You may be offered payment through Fuel Direct if you are on benefits, which comes directly out of your benefit payments, or a prepayment meter. Some companies, such as British Gas and EDF, have a trust fund that you can apply to for help paying your debt. Contact your energy company for details. Energy companies cannot cut off your gas and electricity between October and March if you are a pensioner and either live alone, live only with other pensioners, or live only with people under 18. The main companies have also agreed not to disconnect at any time the most vulnerable households therefore it’s important that your energy company knows your circumstances. Other sources of debt advice: Get a free Well Winter Check Islington Energy Advice Team: T: 0800 953 1221 W: www.islington.gov.uk/energy From grants for heating and insulation and benefit entitlement checks, to fire safety checks and falls assessments, we can help you to have a safe, warm and well winter. With one phone call you can access over 25 services. Contact SHINE today for a free Well Winter Check. Islington Law Centre: T: 020 7607 2461 W: www.islingtonlaw.org.uk Contact 0800 953 1221 or 020 7527 8203 or email [email protected] If you are threatened with disconnection contact Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 for advice. Islington People’s Rights: T: 020 7561 3685 W: www.ipradvice.org.uk Key groups: Islington Citizens Advice Bureau: T: 020 7974 7771 W: www.cabislington.org.uk We’re particularly keen to hear from you if you: are over 60 have a heart or respiratory condition have a condition such as sickle cell disease, lupus, dementia or serious mental illness are on a low income and have a child under 5 • • • • Services include: Energy Advice – We can advise you on how to cut your bills, what discounts you may be eligible for and on grants available for heating and insulation. We can also help you to deal with gas, electricity and water debt. Benefit Check – making sure that you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to. Falls Assessment – if you’re unsteady on your feet. Fire Safety Check – make sure you’re safe in your home with a visit from the Fire Brigade. 6 wellwinter wellwinter Befriending – someone to have a chat with or to help you get out and about. Telecare – helping you maintain your independence at home. Many more services available. All services are subject to eligibility. HomeSmart HomeSmart is the practical course that will help you get your finances right in your home. Learn about budgeting, saving energy, your rights and small things you can do around the house to save money! The HomeSmart course will help you: • manage your budget • save energy in your home • reduce the risk of damp and mould in your home • understand your consumer rights and help you communicate them in an effective way • The course is open to Islington residents aged between 16 and 40 years old Each course is made up of four short workshops. Places will be limited so book soon! Find out more by visiting www.islington.gov.uk/homesmart or calling 020 7527 8203. 7 Keep warm and cut your bills Eat and drink well Stay well Preventing colds and flu Get your flu jab Eat well Alcohol You can catch cold and flu bugs from breathing in droplets of other people’s coughs and sneezes, or from touching a hard surface which has the bugs on and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. It is important to get your seasonal flu vaccine every year in the autumn to protect you from catching flu if you are aged over 65 or have one or more of the following medical conditions: Eating well can boost your immune system, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and certain cancers, aid recovery from illness and lead to a better quality of life. Food is a vital source of energy, helping to keep your body warm. Try to keep a stock of food from each of the five groups below in case you can’t get out to the shops in very cold weather: Despite the myth that alcohol can keep you warm drinking is harmful to your health, no matter what the weather. Drinking increases your risk of stroke, high blood pressure, various cancers, heart attack and liver disease. We recommend you visit www.dontbottleitup.org.uk, you may be drinking more alcohol than you think. To reduce your risk of catching colds and flu remember to wash your hands regularly with soap and water. This is especially important when you have been touching surfaces which other people have touched e.g. light switches, door handles and public hand rails. • Chronic respiratory disease or asthma • Chronic heart disease • Chronic kidney disease • Chronic liver disease • Chronic neurological disease such as stroke or TIA • Diabetes • You are living in long-stay residential care home • You receive carers allowance or are the main carer of someone who is elderly or disabled • You have been identified by your GP as being particularly vulnerable to getting seriously ill if you caught the flu • You are receiving treatment that suppresses the immune system, such as chemotherapy To reduce your risk of spreading colds and flu remember: Catch It, Bin It, Kill It: • Catch It: Carry disposable tissues with you for when you need to sneeze, cough or blow your nose • Bin It: Germs can live for several hours on tissues so put your tissues in the bin as soon as you can • Kill It: So you don’t spread germs on your hands • You have a condition that weakens your immune system, such as HIV If you think that you should be getting a vaccine but have not been invited by your GP, then ask your GP or practice nurse about it. Call NHS 111 on 111 and select ‘North London’ or visit www.nhs.uk for the latest information on flu. make sure you wash them regularly 8 wellwinter • Group 1: Bread‚ cereals‚ potatoes‚ pasta‚ chapattis • Group 2: Fresh fruit and vegetables • Group 3: Milk and dairy foods • Group 4: Meat‚ fish‚ eggs‚ peas and pulses such as • beans (including baked beans) Group 5: Foods containing fat and sugar Top tips • Have at least one hot meal a day • Have hot drinks throughout the day – and one • • • • • before bedtime Keep a flask with a hot drink in it by your bed in case you feel cold at night Try to eat something from each of the five main food groups each day Concentrate on foods that are high in fibre and low in sugar‚ salt and fat Have at least five portions of fruit or vegetables each day Stock up on tinned and frozen food so that you don’t have to go shopping when it’s icy or slippery If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drinking then you should get in touch with Islington Community Alcohol Service on 020 7833 9899. It is recommended that men should not regularly drink more than 3 to 4 units of alcohol a day (around one and a half pints of lager) and that women should not exceed 2 to 3 units (around one glass of wine). You should also be aware of the potential interaction between alcohol and any medications you are taking. Speak to your doctor if you are unsure. For more information please visit www.nhs.uk/livewell/Pages/Livewellhub.aspx wellwinter 9 Keep warm and cut your bills Free Health Checks Stay active Stay active When the weather is cold, it is tempting to stay indoors. This won’t do your health any good. The best way to combat winter is to keep warm and follow as healthy a lifestyle as possible. A bit of exercise can make a big difference. Moving around generates extra body heat, so any kind of activity will help to keep you warm. Sitting for long periods of time makes you colder so you could try spacing activities out through the day, so that you can alternate between rest and activity. Moderate exercise, such as walking, has real health benefits, especially if you do it regularly all year round. It only takes 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity a day to become fitter, healthier and happier. However, you don’t have to sign up at your local gym in order to keep fit as doing a little housework, like vacuuming, will keep you moving and help to keep you warm. Islington’s Adult Weight Management Programme Aquaterra Active Health Team are offering a free 12 week weight management programme for overweight and obese patients. The Rebalance programme is open to all Islington residents or those registered with an Islington GP. The programme lasts for 12 weeks and focuses on nutrition, being active and changing behaviours. Courses are delivered at various locations throughout the borough. You are eligible for the NHS Health Check if: • You are between 35–74 years old • You live in Islington or are registered with an Islington GP • You have not had an NHS Health Check in the last 5 years • You are not taking medication for: Heart Disease or Heart Failure, Stroke or TIA (Mini Stroke), High Blood Pressure, Atrial Fibrillation, High Cholesterol, Kidney Disease, Heart Attack, Arterial Disease, Diabetes To find out more call: 020 7689 9846/7 or email [email protected] or visit www.aquaterra.org/activities/aquaterrarebalance-weight-management You can have your NHS health check through your GP practice, or at community venues throughout the borough. Please contact your GP practice or phone 0203 282 7886 to book an NHS Health Check in your local area. Walking is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to get fit and stay healthy. It can help you to lose weight, reduce the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure and is a great way to combat stress and anxiety. Health check for those aged 75 and over NHS Health Checks (age 35–74) Our free health walks give you the opportunity to walk regularly in a relaxed and friendly environment, enjoying the great outdoors. Got 20 minutes to change your life? Heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes are the biggest killers in the UK. For more information on these or other community exercise activities please contact the Aquaterra Active Health Team on [email protected], telephone 020 7689 9846 or visit www.getactivelondon.com 10 While everyone is at risk of these diseases, the NHS offers health checks to help you lower your risk of developing them. The checks are free and simple and can take as little as 20 minutes. wellwinter wellwinter As part of a new initiative, we are offering health checks to patients who are aged 75 years and over. The check will involve an assessment of your health and wellbeing to see if there is any support that you could benefit from, and tests to check for any undiagnosed health problems that could be better managed, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Please contact your GP to book an appointment for an NHS Health Check. 11 Keep warm and cut your bills Stay safe Reduce the risk of trips or falls If you have a trip or fall Protect yourself from bogus callers How can Age UK Islington help? Ice and wet leaves in winter can increase the risk of falls and there are many things we can do to reduce the risk and stay independent. If you have tripped or stumbled in your home or outside, and are worried about falling again, find somebody to talk to about it. • Keep active and do some exercise every day • Eat well to remain healthy and keep In the first instance contact your GP who can conduct a falls assessment with you. This will usually include simple tests of your balance and walking as well as questions about your medication, health and home environment to help find out why you are falling. Bogus callers may pose as water, electricity or gas-board workers, council workers or police officers so they can steal money or property from your home. You can prevent this type of crime if you take precautions. Age UK’s Enablement service offers a home visit by our specialist staff to work out with you what is needed, and help you deal with immediate problems. Following that there’s the option to have regular volunteer befriender visits for up to 8 weeks - just to help you. To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of this crime, remember the following three steps: Not only that, during the 8-week period they can help you to find and get other longer term help, available via our AgeUKConnect partner scheme, and from the wide range of service contacts they have, including voluntary as well as statutory health and social care services. bones strong • Have your eyesight checked regularly • Use bright light bulbs in the kitchen and stairways to make it easier to see any hazards • Have your medicines and tablets checked every twelve months • Take care of your feet and wear well-fitting The Islington REACH Team provides a Falls Prevention Programme which aims to reduce the risk of falling over and to help you to build confidence following a fall. Ask your GP if they think you should be referred to the REACH Team. shoes and slippers Stop before you open the door. Chain put your chain on the door. Check ask the caller for their identification - and check it by phoning the company they say they’re from - before letting them in. Use the phone number in the phone book, not on an identity card. If you feel threatened by anyone on your doorstep or in your home dial 999. Trading Standards also produce an advice pack on how to keep safe at home. Call 020 7527 3198 for a pack. • Allow extra time so that you are not rushing • If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Ask your GP or pharmacist for advice on alcohol if you are taking medication Help from Age UK Islington (formerly known as Age Concern) Many people worry about their ability to continue looking after themselves or their home. Sometimes this point is arrived at gradually but it can also be caused by a sudden health problem, or by some major event such as being discharged after a stay in hospital. By working out what aspect of your life you need help with and then putting the right help in place, you can worry less, and live more! 12 wellwinter wellwinter The Helping Hands Service supplies cleaners, carers and other handy people for the home. www.ageukconnect.net What does the service cost? The core service is funded by Islington Council. So for some Islington residents there is no charge. We will discuss with you and explain if this is the case, and alternatives if not. Depending on the longer term help you choose, there might be a cost involved. For more information call Age UK Islington on tel 020 7281 6018 or email [email protected] 13 Watch out for carbon monoxide What to do if there is carbon monoxide spillage from my appliance? Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless tasteless, poisonous gas produced by the incomplete combustion of the fossil fuels. When CO enters the body, it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs. • Switch off the appliance and do not reuse until remedial action has been taken • Shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve (if you know where it is). If gas continues to escape call National Grid on the Gas Emergency Freephone Number 0800 111 999 What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? Early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can easily be confused with food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness. Symptoms to look out for include: • • • • • • tiredness drowsiness headaches giddiness nausea vomiting • • • • • • Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room do not sleep in it • Visit your GP urgently and tell him/her that you pains in the chest breathlessness stomach pains erratic behavior visual problems believe your symptoms may be related to carbon monoxide poisoning and request either a blood and/or breath sample The use of audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarms is considered a useful back-up precaution but is no substitute for proper installation and maintenance of gas appliances by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Before purchasing a CO alarm, always ensure it complies with British Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval mark, such as a Kitemark. CO alarms should be installed, checked and serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. You can be particularly at risk from CO poisoning when you are asleep, because you may not be aware of early CO symptoms until it is too late. Having an audible CO alarm could wake you and save your life. • Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to make repairs. Call 0800 408 5500 or visit www.gassaferegister.co.uk to find an engineer The warning signs • If you are a private tenant call Residential Although carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless, there are a few signs that may be seen indicating a possible problem. Environmental Health on 020 7527 3083 • If you are a council or housing tenant contact your landlord • Yellow or orange rather than blue flames (apart from fuel effect fires or flueless appliances which display this colour flame) • Soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances • Pilot lights that frequently blow out 14 wellwinter wellwinter 15 winterwarmth This booklet has been produced by Islington Council. It aims to help you keep your home warm through the winter, help you maintain good health and take advantage of the financial help available. North London Cares - Supporting our neighbours North London Cares is a community network, recruiting and mobilising young professionals living and working in Islington and connecting them to neighbours in need of a little extra help w www.northlondoncares.org.uk @NLCares North London Cares If you would like this document in large print or braille, audiotape or in another language, please contact 020 7527 2000 Contact Islington 222 Upper Street London N1 1XR E [email protected] T 020 7527 2000 F 020 7527 5001 Minicom 020 7527 1900 W www.islington.gov.uk/energy Printed on 100% recycled paper using vegetable based inks. Published November 2013. 16 16 wellwinter wellwinter