Keeping warm and well this winter may be more challenging than ever, with infections of COVID-19 rising and national restrictions keeping us indoors. If you need help with your health or wellbeing this winter, remember that support is out there. Check out our advice on staying well this winter below:

Staying warm at home

Keeping warm helps prevent colds, flu and other serious health problems. Try heating your home’s main living room during the day to 18-21°C (64-70°F) and other rooms to 16°C (61°F).

If you are worried about the costs of keeping your home warm, financial support is available. Find out how you can claim financial aid to turn your cold house into a warm home here. 

Remember, if you are above state pension age, you could be entitled to Pension Credit to top up your income and help with your living costs. Learn more about this here.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps to maintain a healthy body, giving a boost to our immune system, teeth, and bones. Winter means shorter days and longer nights, so our bodies miss out on all the vitamin D we need from the sun.

Taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during winter can help us to avoid illness and stay well. If you are clinically vulnerable, you can apply for free vitamin D supplements before Monday 11th January 2021. You can also buy supplements from a number of retailers, ranging from health food shops to supermarkets.

If you do feel under the weather, talk to your pharmacist or GP as soon as possible. The sooner you access healthcare services, the more treatable a condition can be and the sooner you can be on the road to recovery.

Keeping connected

Greater Manchester Ageing Hub and partners are running Keeping Well this Winter, a campaign to support older people throughout the colder months.

Through the campaign, the Ageing Hub has produced the Keeping Well this Winter booklet, which covers advice on staying physically and mentally well, vaccinations, managing money, avoiding scams and more. Resources also include Talking Tips for friends and family checking in on older people in our communities.

Printed copies of the Keeping Well this Winter booklet have been distributed to older residents across Greater Manchester through local councils. You can also find out more about the aim of the campaign in this video, created by Talking About my Generation

Support from Southway

We’re committed to supporting older people in our communities all year round. If you need help with keeping well this winter, or with managing your home, rent, getting online, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can find out more about our Age Friendly work here.