How to stay well this winter

Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you are 65 or older, or if you have a long-term health condition.

If you are 65 or over, or in one of the other at-risk groups, it is important to get medical help as soon as you feel unwell.

Changes to our bodies as we get older mean that cold weather and winter bugs affect us more than they used to.

This winter we will also need to live with coronavirus, which we know can have more of an impact the older we are.

As part of our Winter Readiness Programme, we are looking out for vulnerable residents. We have also encouraged residents to check on neighbours and relatives.

The Winter readiness programme helps Homes for Haringey identify vulnerable or frailer residents to ensure they can cope with all relevant support arranged for them over the colder months. Our Team has been calling residents and the feedback has been positive. Residents were happy that someone had called to find out if they were okay. 

We know that many of our residents do not have anyone nearby and family may be further away or abroad.

You can get help and advice from:

* a pharmacy – pharmacists can give treatment advice for a range of minor illnesses and can tell you if you need to see a doctor

* your GP – you may be able to speak to a GP online or over the phone, or go in for an appointment if they think you need to

* NHS 111 – go to 111.nhs.UK or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do

The sooner you get advice, the sooner you are likely to get better.

Due to the Covid19 restrictions, we are only responding to emergency repairs. You can report an emergency repair at any time by contacting our Customer Services team on 020 8489 5611.

If you are worried about a relative or elderly neighbour, contact our Team on 020 8489 1495 or call the Age UK helpline on 0800 678 1602 (8am to 7pm every day).

Please get more information here: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/keep-warm-keep-well/

The best way to report a repair is by signing up to you free online Homes for Haringey account. However, for emergency gas heating repairs, you can call us on 020 8489 5611 at any time. Visit our website for more information: Reporting a repair | Homes for Haringey

If you are having financial difficulty and can’t pay your fuel bill or rent, please get in touch with our Financial Inclusion Team on: income.collection@homesforharingey.org.

If you were born on or before 5 October 1954 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.