Age Concern Rothertham offers products and services for people over 50. We offer Home Insurance, Motor Car Insurance, Motor Breakdown, Travel Insurance, Pre-Paid Funeral Plans, Aid Call Alarms, Charity Flowers, Energy Services through Powergen.
At a local level we offer Day Care, Handy Person Scheme, Advice & Information, Gardening, Cleaning, Advocacy, Linkline, Hospital Discharge Service & Outreach Services.
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Visitors Since
25 October 2006
Age Concern Rotherham is an independent charity whose charitable objectives are to make the lives of older people in Rotherham as fulfilling and rewarding as possible.
We are a truly local charity helping only older people in Rotherham. We receive no funding from a national head office and stand-or-fall by our own fundraising efforts. Each year we have to raise substantial funds to enable us to continue to support people to the level we do. There are lots of ways you can help us to raise money - and some of them won't even cost you a penny. Click here for more details.
Age Concern Rotherham
HELPING ROTHERHAM'S OLDER PEOPLE TO STAY WARM AND WELL IN THE CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS
Age Concern Rotherham is asking Rotherham people to keep an eye out for older family, friends and neighbours during the current prolonged cold weather.
We are concerned that the continued extreme temperatures, ice and snow will leave some older people facing difficulties getting out to buy food and other essentials, whilst others will struggle to stay warm.
Vulnerable older people are more susceptible to the cold than younger people and many of the services and family they rely on may not be able to reach them so easily due to the weather conditions. Last winter‚ 36‚700 winter deaths were recorded in England and Wales‚ an increase of nearly 50 per cent compared to the previous winter. Please look out for older neighbours, friends and family and make the effort to check on them whilst the weather is so cold. Because the wintery weather is lasting for so long older people may be running out of food, especially fresh food, and be feeling very isolated and worried.
If you are getting out to the shops for your own supplies this weekend, please check whether you can get anything for them and also check that they are keeping warm.
The advice for older people, especially those over 75, is to protect yourself from the cold in order to keep well. In particular:
- Claim your benefits - Millions of pensioners are missing out on their share of up to £5 billion in unclaimed benefits. If you are eligible this could make a huge difference to your weekly income and go some way towards meeting your energy bills. Contact us for a free benefits check on 01709 835214
- Eat well and keep warm - Hot meals and drinks provide warmth and energy. Try to eat one nutritious hot meal every day and have a hot drink before bedtime. Wear several layers of clothes to keep warm and wrap up well when you go outside
- Stay active - Regular exercise generates heat and helps you to keep warm. It can be as simple as doing household chores or a stroll to the local shops
- Get a flu jab - If you’re over 65 or have a long-term health condition‚ you’re more vulnerable to the effects of flu. There are different strains of the virus each winter - make sure you are protected by getting a free flu jab from your GP every year
- Shop around - Shopping around for the best energy rate could make you a considerable saving. If you are on a low income you may also be eligible for a discounted social tariff. Contact your energy supplier and check if you are eligible for a discounted tariff. If you need help with this contact us on 01709 835214
- Get energy efficient - Improving your insulation‚ central heating‚ double glazing or draught-proofing could help keep your house warm and cut your bills. If you receive benefits you may be able to get a Warm Front grant to help pay for heating improvements‚ and your energy supplier may offer energy efficiency products like insulation free of charge. Again we can help you get information about this
A payment of £25 is made to people receiving certain benefits including Pension Credit when the average temperature at a specified weather station has been recorded as‚ or is forecast to be‚ 0° Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. People who are entitled to this should receive it automatically, although it can take a couple of weeks to come through.
The ‘Staying Warm in Winter’ booklet produced in partnership with British Gas is available free of charge to older people offering essential advice on staying warm‚ keeping up with heating bills and tips on insulation‚ as well as a thermometer to help monitor how warm your home is. The ‘Save More‚ Pay Less’ guide focuses on improving energy efficiency in your home‚ which is produced in partnership with E.ON. Please contact us to get these guides.
If you need advice about your entitlements and keeping warm you can contact Age Concern Rotherham's Advice and Information Service on 01709 835214 during office hours.
Information is also available from Age Concern/ Help the Aged's national help line on 0800 009966.
Older people can also get information and fact sheets about how to keep warm on by visiting Age Concern England's website at www.ageconcern.org.uk.