Elderly OStylers please keep warm

dandy-candy

I went with my DH to visit my FIL this morning as he hasn't been feeling well. When we got there he was slurring his words and confused. The house was absolutely freezing - no heating on at all. The GP came out and we were worrying it was a stroke but he thinks it is hypothermia - FIL body temperature was 34.7 degrees (normal is 37). He has been admitted to hospital and in the last 6 hours even though he is swaddled up in blankets and a special heater, his temperature has only risen to 35 degrees.
What is so awful about this situation is he is far from short of money - he could have the heating on full blast 24/7, but he is frugal and can't believe the prices of things nowadays. It is very fortunate that he has relatives popping in on him twice everyday, i'm sure lot's of elderly people don't have daily visitors and he wouldn't have lasted another night.
Please all keep warm and if you know any elderly folk living alone, check on them! I know with the cost of gas/electric going up, lots of them will be keeping it off as much of possible and it is a really frightening thought.

bossymoo

A scary thought! Yes it's important to keep the vulnerable ones warm. Thankfully, my gran is very free and easy with her heating and having the fire on, even if she does grumble about the cost. Some things are more important. I hope your FIL recovers and relents with the heating once he's safely home. X

lily117

Hope your FIL is home safe and well very soon dandy-candy, it must have been very frightening. Thank goodness you called in on him.

Molly41

I agree - I have posted on the "Is your heat on thread" every year that the young, ill, old etc should always heat their houses and no way it should be a competition.

nearlyrich

That's why the elderly get a winter fuel allowance, it's not to buy Christmas presents it's to keep them warm. Sadly many are scared about putting the heating on in case they run up a bigger bill than they can pay on fixed income and no interest on savings. However the reality is unless they have all the doors and windows open heating a small flat is unlikely to be too expensive if you factor in the extra money they get for this....

Red_Cat

I hate that the elderly (and others) are worried about heating their homes.
Keep warm and live to fight another day!

BitterAndTwisted

Keeping warm and living to fight another day isn't a choice for many. At least those on a pension get a winter fuel allowance. It's the workless singletons who live on their own who can't put the heating on as I know from bitter experience. I've just stared a really well-paid job recently so I won't have to endure yet another winter in thermals and layers of fleeces knowing I wouldn't be able to pay the bill.

Popperwell

When Mum was alive our bills were very high but we felt we could afford to have it on 24/7 but I can quite understand when alone and elderly or on a fixed income why it becomes a worry and many have to decide whether to eat or heat.

Few on here are doing it through choice or as a competition but it is scary and anyone of any age could be affected with the way things are going.

I have been reading some very scary stuff and listening to the radio about another problem with those who are vulnerable and I can only see it sadly getting worse.

Byatt

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Keeping warm and living to fight another day isn't a choice for many. At least those on a pension get a winter fuel allowance. It's the workless singletons who live on their own who can't put the heating on as I know from bitter experience. I've just stared a really well-paid job recently so I won't have to endure yet another winter in thermals and layers of fleeces knowing I wouldn't be able to pay the bill.

Spot on B&T, and well done on the job, I know you have been looking for some time! delighted for you. :T

adelight

Good advice and help everyone you know to get the winter heating allowance and other financial help available.

Seakay

nearlyrich wrote: »

That's why the elderly get a winter fuel allowance, it's not to buy Christmas presents it's to keep them warm. Sadly many are scared about putting the heating on in case they run up a bigger bill than they can pay on fixed income and no interest on savings. However the reality is unless they have all the doors and windows open heating a small flat is unlikely to be too expensive if you factor in the extra money they get for this....

Unfortunately "unlikely" means that there is no way of knowing who the exceptions are, and so the careful and frugal will continue to suffer as the profligate and those who do not plan will not. Also, would be interested to know the research that informs your statement.