Keeping warm cheaply

Gettingtherequickly

Hi

A friend is going to have surgery, hopefully soon (consultant has clearly sussed her out and not put her on the main waiting list but on a cancellation, if she gets a date, we know that she will do all in her power not to have it, so she won't have time to dwell on it if she gets a cancellation!)

Anyway, she will be very immobile afterwards and will be unable to drive for at least 8 weeks. Her hubby will be taking these 8 weeks off work, so I know there is nothing to worry about shopping etc. However, as she will be so immobile, she won't be able to keep that warm. Any suggestions on what could be suitable to help her and obviously keep costs down, ideally, if it could incorporate some gentle physio, this would be a bonus. The ironic thing is that she never felt the cold ( heating on at home was vitually alien to her)but now does quite badly.

Any thoughts or suggestions I could pass on would be great

Merry_Wanderer

For sitting around, a hot water bottle with a blanket over the lap does the job pretty well.

Gettingtherequickly

Thanks for that, given me an idea about buying her one of those you warmers you can put in microwave

Reverbe

one of those slankets/snuggies might be an idea - fleece blanket with sleeves to those who dont know

eilidh_s

I would second the slanket. I have one and it is the greatest thing ever!!

snookey

How about a pair of booties that you can heat in the microwave. Also a wool hat as most heat is lost through your head. Bed socks. Thin layers of clothing as this keeps the heat in with a cardigan on top. Flannal pjs and sheets.
Hope it helps.

lostinrates

If she's going to be immobile I'd suggest an electric blanket and a good duvet...a nice gift would be a lovely duvet cover that she'll not be embarassed of in the sitting room when guests visit.

Hot drinks, including consomme, and keeping the room she is mostly in warm, rather than trying to keep the whole house warm to a sedentary comfort might be cheaper.

Then, good COMFORTABLE warm clothes. Tracksuits..because they move easily with a body that is restricted, and boot type slippers (I buy a supermarket pair of sheepskin boots to wear out on the yard when its iced up and they are brilliant while its dry).

Also, keeping the mind busy as she heals...lots of visits for coffee....films/books good enough to lose oneself in. Lots of sleeping....you sleep well when cold and IMO you heal better. And lots and lots of laughing...it keeps one warm.

Gingerbiscuit_2

Im not mobile so do feel the cold, a hot water bottle wrapped up with a blanket on your lap (so its between layers) will keep you warm for ages, I also have an electric blanket on the sofa in the winter and put a blanket over the top and sit on it as I still feel cold if the heating on. If she is in a particular cold house then light scarf around neck or polo tops helps keep you warm and fingerless gloves are great for reading on the computer and keep you that much warmer.

oldtractor

a hat scarf and fingerless gloves/wrist warmers. Mind the Gap,by which I mean not only draught excluders for the doors but also a long vest long socks a scarf wrist warmers to keep heat in. A hot water bottle and a thermos flask. get up regulally and walk around or do some exercise to get the circulation going. thick lines curtains at the windows and also thedoors. heat one or 2 rooms. its might be cheaper to spend the day in the kitchen if baking as the oven will heat the room somewhat. hope these ideas help.

adelight

Loads of blankets, thermals and microwaveable warmers (you can make these yourself). If you search the grabbit board for electric blankets I believe there were some on offer very cheap recently and you might be able to get a bargain.

Primrose

Getting some good quality thermal underwear, (long sleeved vest, and long johns) will help tremendously. She doesn't need to worry what it looks like - they won't be visible, but this extra layer will really make a difference if she is immobile and unable to get her circulation moving much by moving around. Hopefully though, she will try to keep moving as much as she comfortably can from a health point of view and to avoid the risks of DVD. Just standing up and doing some gentle knee bending and arm stretching movements whenever the TV adverts come on will help in this respect.