Nottingham Health Alert: Proactive Winter Protection

Warmth & Wellness: Your Winter Guide

Nottingham, UK—With temperatures dropping and local health services managing increased flu activity, Right at Home (Nottingham) is issuing an urgent winter wellness guide. As an 'Outstanding' rated home care provider, our team is doubling down on efforts to protect vulnerable adults, ensuring they remain warm, active, and independent during the toughest months of the year.

This proactive advice is essential for safeguarding health and easing pressure on local NHS resources this winter.

Here is our practical guide to a safe and cosy winter in Nottingham!

1. Tips for Keeping Warm & Active

Keeping your body and home warm is vital for health and preventing winter illnesses.

Keeping Warm:

Layer Up, Stay Cosy: Wear several thin layers of clothing rather than one thick one. Trapped air between layers acts as insulation and keeps you warmer. Don't forget warm socks and slippers, even indoors!

Heat the Home Wisely: Aim for your main living room to be between 18−21C (64−70 F) and the rest of the house at a minimum of 16C (61F). Use a room thermometer to check.

Warm Up from the Inside:

Have at least one hot, hearty meal each day and drink plenty of warm fluids like tea, soup, or hot water.

Seal the Drafts:

Use draught excluders (even a rolled-up towel) at the bottom of doors and check for gaps around windows. Closing curtains at dusk will also help keep the heat in.

Bedtime Warmth:

Use extra blankets or an electric blanket (but not with a hot water bottle!). Wearing a nightcap or thermal nightwear can also prevent heat loss overnight.

Staying Active:

Keep Moving: Try not to sit still for more than an hour at a time. Even light movement helps generate body heat and maintain mobility.

Chair-Based Exercises: If walking is difficult, try gentle chair-based exercises. Wiggling your toes, rotating your ankles, or marching your arms while sitting can help circulation.

Strength & Balance: If you are able, practice standing up from a chair without using your arms a few times a day. Always hold onto a sturdy object or have someone nearby if you're unsteady.

Walk Indoors: If the weather is icy or wet, simply walk around your home. Walk while talking on the phone or during TV advert breaks.

2. Planning for Independent Living This Winter

Maintaining independence is a key focus of our care. A little preparation goes a long way.

Stock Up Safely: Ensure you have enough essential food (tinned, frozen, and long-life items), pet food, and essential medications to cover a few days in case bad weather makes it hard to get out.

Review Your Medicines: Check your prescriptions with your GP or pharmacist to ensure you have enough to last through the festive period or potential cold snaps.

Stay Connected: Loneliness can hit harder in winter. Use the phone, video calls, or social media to regularly check in with family, friends, or neighbours.

Safety Check: Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Have your boiler or heating system serviced before the worst of the cold hits.

Falls Prevention Outdoors: If you must go out when it's icy, wear shoes with a good grip. Consider asking a family member or friend for help clearing paths or using salt/grit.

3. Protect Against Winter Viruses

Please Note: Health services in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are currently seeing an increase in flu cases, leading to higher hospital admissions for vulnerable people. Taking preventative steps is more crucial than ever this winter.

Top Prevention Tip: Adopt the "Catch It, Bin It, Kill It" Routine

Alongside getting your flu and COVID-119 vaccinations, one of the most effective things you can do to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like the flu is to practice excellent cough and hand hygiene.

Catch It: Always cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when you cough or sneeze.

Bin It: Throw the used tissue in a bin immediately.

Kill It: Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.

This simple habit can drastically reduce the germs you spread or pick up, protecting both you and your loved ones.

4. Our recommended local Nottingham resources

Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire

Offer services like benefits checks, home energy checks, and companionship services.

Follow their social media for events and updates or visit their website.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/notts/

Nottinghamshire County Council Adult Social Care

Provides information and advice, including help to stay living at home and safeguarding. Check their website and local newsletters for "Keep Well this Winter" guides.

NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB

Offers health advice, including getting your winter vaccinations (Flu and COVID-19 boosters) and when to use NHS 111.

Fun Facts to Beat the Winter Blues

A Warm Treat: Having a hot drink triggers a small, temporary rise in your core body temperature, which can make you feel warmer!

The Power of colour: Wearing bright colours in winter is not just a fashion choice; studies show that cheerful colours can have a positive effect on mood, helping to combat the "winter blues."

Warm Hands: Your body works hard to keep your vital organs warm, sometimes at the expense of your extremities.

By keeping your hands and feet snug with thick socks, slippers, and gloves, you send a signal to your body that it doesn't have to work quite so hard, which can help regulate your overall temperature and prevent a rapid drop in core heat.

Bug in a Rug: Due to natural changes in metabolism, older adults often lose body heat faster than younger people. A great trick to make sure your body doesn't waste energy heating up the bedsheets with an electric blanket. A warm bed encourages better, more restful sleep, which is critical for fighting off winter infections.