How Older People Can Avoid Health Risks in Winter

Every year many elderly people die during the winter
Every year there are more and more health problems in the elderly during the winter season. Physicians have now launched a so-called awareness campaign to protect vulnerable older people from the negative effects of cold weather. The experts advise, for example, the consumption of hot meals and physical activity.

Employees of NHS England and Public Health England launched an important campaign to protect the elderly during the winter months. These often suffer serious health problems in winter. The doctors published special advice for people over the age of 65.

Older people are particularly vulnerable in winter. Due to the effects of the cold season, many people over the age of 65 die each year. With some advice, physicians are now trying to protect older people better in winter. (Image: aletia2011 / fotolia.com)

Winter advice for people over 65:
Advice from the so-called "Stay Well" campaign for people over 65 this winter includes:
Always pay attention to enough heat. Household thermostats should not be set below 18 degrees.

• Wrap yourself warm when it gets cold. Use for example blankets or the like.
• Make sure you consume enough hot meals and drinks. These help you to maintain the required energy level.
• If you notice the first signs of a cough or a cold, seek the advice of a pharmacist.
• Stay physically active.

Every year, there are thousands of additional deaths from winter weather
The current campaign in winter aims to remind people that food is a very important source of energy for us, which keeps the body warm, the scientists explain. The UK National Statistics Office said there were approximately 43,900 additional deaths from the health effects of winter in 2014/2015.

36,300 deaths in people over 75 years due to the effects of winter
Research has shown that people over the age of 75 years and over are most affected by the health effects of winter. It is estimated that there were approximately 36,300 winter deaths in this age group, experts from England explain.

Certain people are particularly vulnerable in winter
People with health problems such as heart disease, lung problems and dementia have an increased chance of dying during the winter. Reasons for this are, for example:

In winter, the risk of heart failure, kidney disease and strokes is increased
Cold temperatures increase blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart failure, kidney disease and strokes, says Professor Paul Cosford of Public Health England. The cold temperatures cause the blood to clot, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It also reduces the ability of the lungs to fight these infections, adds the physician.

The cold causes many older people to suffer from respiratory problems
Research has also shown that at a temperature of 5 degrees in the open, any reduction in temperature of 1 degree results in a more than ten percent increase in physician consultations for respiratory problems in the elderly.

Have your heater checked by professionals before the winter
Make sure over the winter that you have enough fuel in the house, the experts advise. You should also make sure that the devices are regularly maintained by an approved heating engineer. If then all people in the winter better take care of each other, this could really make a difference, explain the authors. (As)