At ADSS we don't just support people with dementia, we also support the professionals who care for them.
Join a team that cares for you!
When the temperatures drop, keeping warm and safe at home becomes more important than ever. But for someone living with dementia, winter can bring challenges that aren't always easy to recognise.
Someone may not realise how cold they've become, find it difficult to explain that they're uncomfortable or become confused about heating controls. For carers, there's the added worry of keeping someone warm and well, particularly when they're not there.
And with energy costs putting pressure on household budgets, keeping the heating on can be another concern.
The good news is that a few simple steps now can help make home safer, warmer and more comfortable throughout the winter months.
Here are some practical ways to prepare.
1. Keep your home comfortably warm
Cold homes can affect health, particularly for older people and those with existing health conditions.
As a general guide, aim to keep rooms you regularly use at 18°C or above, although some people may need a warmer environment depending on their health and circumstances.
For someone living with dementia, it can help to check the room temperature rather than relying on them to say whether they feel cold.
A simple room thermometer can help you keep track, while familiar heating routines and easy-to-use controls can make managing the temperature less confusing.
2. Make small changes to keep the warmth in
Keeping your home warm doesn't always mean turning up the thermostat.
There are simple things you can do to help reduce heat loss and make rooms more comfortable:
Wear several layers of warm clothing and keep blankets and slippers within easy reach.
Close curtains when it gets dark to help keep warmth inside.
Move furniture away from radiators so heat can circulate.
Use draught excluders where appropriate to reduce cold air coming through doors.
Consider radiator reflector panels and thermostatic radiator valves to help manage heating more efficiently.
Use heating timers to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the day.
If you're caring for someone living with dementia, think about how easy it is for them to use the heating independently. Clear labels, familiar routines or support with setting timers may help.
Remember, saving energy should never mean allowing your home to become uncomfortably cold.
3. Be prepared for unexpected power cuts
A power cut can be inconvenient for anyone. But for someone living with dementia, losing lighting, heating or familiar household appliances can also be unsettling or confusing.
A little preparation can make a difficult situation easier to manage.
Keep a torch, spare batteries, a charged mobile phone and a list of useful telephone numbers somewhere easy to find.
If someone relies on electrically powered medical equipment, it's especially important to have a suitable emergency plan.
You may also be eligible to join the Priority Services Register, a free service offering additional support to people who may need extra help during interruptions to their gas or electricity supply.
Depending on your circumstances, this can include advance notice of planned interruptions, accessible communications and additional assistance during emergencies.
Our Home Energy Advisor can help you understand the support available and assist you with registering.
4. Check your heating and gas safety
Before the coldest weather arrives, it's worth making sure your heating is working safely and reliably.
Arrange for gas boilers and appliances to be serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and check that you have working Carbon Monoxide alarms where needed.
Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas that cannot be seen, smelt or tasted. Its symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for other illnesses, making awareness particularly important when supporting someone living with dementia.
If your heating stops working, don't attempt repairs you're not qualified to carry out. Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer for advice.
A little preparation can help prevent a heating problem becoming a winter emergency.
5. Find out what financial help is available
Keeping your home warm can be expensive, and many people don't realise they may be entitled to additional help.
Depending on your circumstances, support may include:
Winter Fuel Payments for eligible pensioners.
Warm Home Discount support with electricity bills.
Cold Weather Payments for people receiving certain benefits when temperatures fall sufficiently.
Local grants or assistance with heating, insulation and energy costs.
You don't have to work out what you're entitled to alone.
Our Home Energy Advisor can help you explore the support that may be available, understand your options and identify practical ways to manage energy costs.
And remember to be cautious of unexpected messages offering energy grants or asking you to provide bank details to receive a payment. Always check offers through trusted sources.
6. Check in on someone you care for
Sometimes the most important winter preparation isn't about the house. It's about the person living in it.
If you're supporting someone living with dementia, check that they're comfortable, have warm clothing available and can manage their heating.
You might also want to think about what would happen if their boiler stopped working, the electricity went off or they needed additional help during particularly cold weather.
Having a plan, knowing who to contact and involving the person in decisions wherever possible can make a real difference.
Because being winter ready isn't just about staying warm. It's about helping someone feel safe, comfortable and supported in the place they call home.
Live Life Safe: We're here to help
Through our Live Life Safe campaign, ADSS is helping people living with dementia and their carers take practical steps to stay safe, warm and independent at home.
Our free Home Energy Service, delivered in partnership with SGN, offers personalised advice and support with home safety, energy costs, financial assistance and the Priority Services Register.
Whether you're worried about keeping your home warm, managing your energy bills or preparing for winter, we're here to help.
Contact our Home Energy team
Call: 01474 533990
Email: HomeEnergy@adss.org.uk
Our service supports people affected by dementia across North Kent, West Kent, Medway and Swale.