Andrew Cornwall 🍊

Winter can bring extra challenges for people living with dementia, particularly when it comes to staying warm at home. Someone with dementia might be less active, elderly, and feel the cold more, meaning they use a lot of energy. Confusion and forgetfulness could also cause them to use more energy than they mean to. Understanding how to use gas and electricity efficiently, stay safe, and access support can help reduce energy use and keep bills manageable. Here are our tips: First, make sure you’re using energy efficiently at home by using energy efficient bulbs and turning off lights and electrical appliances when not in use. Use curtains and draught excluders to keep warmth inside. Set your thermostat and use timers to control when the heating comes on. Make sure to have your boiler checked annually to keep it running efficiently and safely. Next, find out if you’re eligible for help with heating costs. You might be able to get support from schemes like the Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payment, Warm Home Discount, or Energy Company Obligation (ECO). Make sure to join the free Priority Services Register. This can give you access to advance notice of planned disruptions to your gas, water or electricity. You could get help with meter readings and potentially free annual boiler checks or gas safety checks. You can also request accessible communication formats, like large print or braille and nominate someone as your main contact. To sign up, contact your Gas Distribution Network or energy supplier, or contact us on our Dementia Support Line to sign up on your behalf. And finally, remember carbon monoxide safety. Install and check CO alarms near gas appliances, and have those appliances checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Learn the signs of CO poisoning, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and breathlessness. Remember, CO is odourless and colourless. And if you suspect a leak, open windows, leave the property, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. The energy support we provide is possible as a result of our partnerships with @CadentGasLtd, @WWUtilities, @SGNgas, @edfenergy and @OVOEnergy. Find more info about energy efficiency, the Priority Services Register and carbon monoxide safety, produced through our Gas Distribution Network partnership, here: alzheimers.org.uk/get-suppor…