Both Age Concern and Help the Aged are concerned for the wellbeing of older people - especially with regard to energy efficiency as cold-related illnesses contribute to the deaths of thousands of older people each year in the winter months.
In the last six years alone, there were almost 150,000 excess winter deaths of those aged 65 plus, with cold-related illnesses such as pneumonia contributing to many thousands of these deaths. Many older people worry about affording high fuel bills, yet by not heating their home adequately they could be putting their health at risk.
The guide which is now available, or can be downloaded covers such topics as:
- Increasing your income
- Why save energy?
- Keeping heat in your home
- Hot water and central heating
- Lighting
- Electrical appliances
- In the kitchen
- Washing and laundry
- Choosing an energy supplier
- Priority Services Register
- Problems with energy suppliers
- Useful organisations
- What should I do now?
Link to the download on the Age Concern website
Factfile:
- Almost one in three older people live in homes with inadequate heating or insulation making their homes more difficult to heat and/or keep warm.
- More than 1 in 4 people living in fuel poverty are over 70 years old
- Average annual energy bills are now exceeding £1,000. This will absorb 20 per cent of the income of a single pensioner dependent on the pension credit minimum guarantee and the £200 Winter Fuel Payment.
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