Elderly lady - no heating -help please!

tiamaria

I'm very worried about a lady in her 80's w.ho has no heating.


6 years ago she had a boiler installed through the warmfront scheme. It was free and a long story but basically the damage they did to her house was unbelievable,the boiler has always been faulty, it even has one of the pipes installed upside down.


Back to the present, the boiler has packed up for good according to the plumber (and I believe him), and it will cost her about 2k for a new one – she doesn't have it.


Social services say they can't help, i'm getting quite concerned as we hear of elderly people dying every year of hypothermia.


Is there any help available for her, does anyone know?

ljonski

Can you first get her a portable radiator from Argos or somewhere. could you contact Age Concern. Is the property her own and how about sheltred accommodation in the local area ?

ljonski

You could also contact the local newspaper and see if they would run a story.

hermum

Was she or her husband if she was married in the services? If so the Royal British Legion may be able to help.
If she doesn't have the money to replace the boiler then she may need to go back to warm front. I know this one won't be under warranty but there could still be a balance of the allowable amount, at the moment it's £3,500.
I'm guessing that she has no hot water either if the boiler is broken.
Has she had quotes from other plumbers, preferably ones with a personal recommendation. Does she have any family who can be with her when she gets other quotes?
If social services can't help does your local council have a list of approved workers?

mardatha

Write to your MP and tell him you're also informing the local paper. If he gets onto social services then they will listen!

tiamaria

Thanks for your replies

yes, she owns the property

no, not in the services though deceased husband fought in the war

She's got an electric shower and a gas fire in the lounge so that's something, but nothing in the rest of the house. I do have a portable heater i will offer her.

She's going to look for her warmfront paperwork to see if its under any guarantee,but tbh they were such a bunch of cowboys they caused more trouble than the boiler was worth, but yes that may be the only option.

PS I have emailed the RBL on her behalf to see if she is eligible

SailorSam

I don't think you should worry to much about Warmfront being cowboys, the lady was probably just unlucky getting a bad plumber when she the heating fitted, the next guy may be top-notch.
I'd second the previous post about finding out how much balance your friend has with Warmfront, you want need any paperwork just a quick phone call and they'll tell you if you can get another boiler under their scheme.

Once she gets her heating working you should shop around to look for service breakdown insurance. I don't pay for many of these insurance things but i think the one covering the central heating is worth it.

hermum

After 6 years it won't be under warranty still, the best she could hope for would be to have enough of a balance left over to get a replacement boiler.
At least she has a gas fire & electric shower.
If she gets changed in the warm room & has a hot water bottle or a microwave wheatbag (I read on a thread here somewhere to put a cup of water in the microwave when heating them so that they don't dry out & catch fire!)safer if her hands don't work too well for tightening the bung in a water bottle & with extra covers she should be ok.
Don't forget that she will no doubt have lived for most of her life with heat in just one room, so she will probably know how to keep herself warm & healthy.
Lots of layers, hot drinks throughout the day etc.
Does she have anyone who can check for draughts etc from the doors & windows & remedy them if needed?
Good luck with helping her.

Nneave

If her or her late husband worked in the coal mines their is also money available from Ciswo.

tiamaria

No coal mines but thanks;)

Mojisola

Taking her age into account, it's likely that her husband was in the military, even if only as a conscript. As advised by hermum, it would be worth contacting the British Legion - they should have someone who will help with whatever is the best route to go.