DOCTORS in Worcester are encouraging people to look out for elderly and vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours this winter.
They say older people and those with long-term health conditions are particularly susceptible to illness and isolation at this time of year, yet it can sometimes be difficult for those at risk to admit they need help.
They advise people to:
Drop in and see elderly and vulnerable people to check if they are well at least once a week – and more often if the weather is very cold
Check if they are feeling well, particularly if they don’t seem their usual self or they look unwell
If they are feeling ill, encourage them to visit their local pharmacist without delay – and give them a lift if you can
Ask if you can collect any prescriptions they need or take them to their GP for any appointments
Advise them to call 111 if they feel unwell when pharmacies are closed – a trained NHS health care adviser will be able to help them
Make sure their home is heated to at least 18°C to 21°C throughout the winter
Ensure they are eating well and have a good supply of essential and store-cupboard food to keep them going – and offer to help them with shopping if they struggle with mobility
Encourage them to get heating and cooking appliances safety checked
If it snows, clear their path, front steps or doorway areas for them – or better still, encourage them to stay in.
Dr Carl Ellson, from the county’s three doctor-led clinical commissioning groups, said: “Winter is a time when communities should come together to support people in need and encourage them to seek medical assistance before illness becomes so serious they need to be admitted to hospital.
“All too often we see elderly and vulnerable people having to be treated in hospital for lengthy periods with symptoms that might not have become so serious and could have been managed effectively at home if they’d only sought help sooner.
“If you are aged over 75 or you are living with a long-term medical condition such as a respiratory illness, get help straight away.”
For more information on staying well this winter, visit www.nhs.uk/staywell.
