Here's how you can help older people at Christmas and in the winter months

PEOPLE are being urged to make a donation which will enable an elderly pensioner to enjoy a Christmas dinner and some company this year.

Age NI is serving Christmas dinners at its day centres and your purchase of a £5 e-card will enable them to tuck into Christmas dinner at the day centre and enjoy some festive fun.

The project is running alongside the charity's other initiatives to assist the elderly, including asking for volunteers to give up 30 minutes of their time each week to make a phone call to someone isolated.

People are also urged to devote some time each week to visiting pensioners and older neighbours in their area to ensure they are safe and warm and to provide company and conversation.

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To ward off the effects of the colder weather, people are encouraged to check that the elderly and vulnerable have access to warm clothing, a hot meal, and that their main rooms are heated thoroughly, to at least 18 degrees Celsius.

Service boilers and appliances should be inspected annually by a registered engineer to protect from the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Anyone who is invited to get the winter flu vaccination is strongly urged to do so.

If medication is needed, ensure that supplies are ordered well in advance of the Christmas break to avoid running out when the GP's surgery is closed.

Wearing boots and taking extra time for a journey in icy conditions, and keeping a mobile phone regularly charged, is also advised.

People are urged not to attend accident and emergency departments over Christmas unless their condition is serious or life-threatening, and to instead seek help from their GP or pharmacist.

Do you know of a similar Christmas dinner initiative in your area? Let us know and we'll publicise it. Email digital.editorial@irishnews.com 

Here are a few steps you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe during a spell of cold weather:

• wear warm clothes - layers are best, including a hat
• if outside in icy conditions, wear boots
• keep sufficient stocks of food and medicines
• check the weather forecast regularly
• take care outdoors, especially if roads and pavements are icy
• take regular warm drinks and food
• keep a room warm to at least 18°C 
• service boilers and appliances annually by a registered engineer to protect from the dangers of carbon monoxide
• keep in contact with trusted callers, friends and relatives should you need assistance and keep your mobile phone charged

Tips on how to stay warm at home during the day:

• heat your main living room to around 18-21ºC (64-70ºF) and the rest of the house to at least 16ºC (61ºF)
• heat all the rooms you use in the day
• if you can’t heat all your rooms, make sure you keep your living room warm throughout the day and heat your bedroom before going to bed
• set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and switch off when you go to bed
• in very cold weather set the heating to come on earlier - rather than turn the thermostat up, so you won’t be cold while you wait for your home to heat up

Tips on how to stay warm at home during the night:

• keep the temperature above 18°C (65°F) in your bedroom 
• if you use a fire or heater in your bedroom during winter, open the window or door a little at night for ventilation
• to prevent the risk of electrocution avoid using an electric blanket with a hot water bottle
• to prevent the risk of scalds or burns ensure you fill your hot water bottles with warm water - never use boiling water

If you have an electric blanket:

• check what type it is, some are designed only to warm the bed before you get in and should not to be used throughout the night
• make sure  it's safe to use by getting it tested every three years, the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, Trading Standards and Age NI can test your electric blanket for safety

You can help keep warm by:

• wearing plenty of thin layers rather than one thick one
• putting on a coat, hat, scarf, gloves and warm shoes or boots when you go outside
• wearing clothes made of wool, cotton or fleecy synthetic fibres
• wearing bed socks and thermal underwear at night

Older people are entitled to the winter fuel payment which is tax free and paid yearly

• The winter fuel payment is not means tested. You can get it if you’re working or claiming a benefit.
• you may get a winter fuel payment for winter 2016/2017 if both the following apply:
• you have reached the qualifying age which means you were born on or before 5 May 1953
• you normally live in Northern Ireland on any day throughout the week 19-25 September 2016.