CHARITIES and campaign groups are issuing crucial advice for Scotland’s elderly population amid fears over the impact of Labour slashing Winter Fuel Payments.
Figured obtained by Age Scotland from the Scottish Ambulance Service revealed that nearly 900 pensioners were hospitalised with hypothermia last December alone.
The charity believes the UK Government has “missed an opportunity” to support the nation’s elderly population.
Adam Stachura, head of policy at Age Scotland, said: “Many pensioners already live on very modest incomes, and with energy bills rising, they’re left choosing between staying warm and managing other essential expenses. It’s a recipe for disaster.
“The vast majority – if not almost 90% – of pensioners have less money in their bank accounts than they would have had to pay energy bills because the Winter Fuel Payment is gone for them.
“For many, that £200 or £300 payment was a lifeline, and without it, we worry we’ll see even higher numbers of hospital admissions this year.”
Living in a poorly heated home is especially dangerous for older people who already struggle with multiple health conditions that can be worsened by prolonged periods of time in cold environments.
These conditions include an increased chance of having a heart attack or a stroke, respiratory conditions such as bronchitis or COPD, and hypothermia.
To combat these risks, health experts recommend that pensioners take proactive steps to keep warm and safe this winter.
Charities such as Age Scotland and British Geriatrics Society are encouraging older adults to check their eligibility for additional financial support, as many low-income pensioners are often unaware of the benefits they may qualify for.
Stachura continued: “There’s huge amounts of social security that goes underclaimed by older people every year. Our helpline provides benefit checks, which can help identify if people qualify for support like Pension Credit or council tax reductions.
“Last year, we identified about an extra £2 million people who wouldn’t have claimed otherwise.”
Age Scotland also recommends pensioners reaching out to energy, mobile or broadband suppliers to see if they have any measures in place to help.
Many companies offer a “social tariff” for people on low incomes, which can significantly reduce monthly costs.
“Sometimes people are quite shy about coming forward and asking for that. But you know, if there’s ever a time to do it, it’s now. I think there are lots of companies that are trying to help, but people maybe aren’t coming forward as much as they might have hoped to get that help,” Stachura explained.
Families and neighbours of elderly people can also do their bit to help keep their older loved ones safe by looking out for early signs of hypothermia, such as confusion, fatigue and difficulties with daily tasks.
Dr Bob Caslake, chair of the British Geriatrics Society Scotland Council and a consultant geriatrician in Aberdeen, said: “Older people with frailty are at greater risk of becoming unwell in the winter months from things like inadequately heated houses, falls on icy streets and social isolation from being unable to get out than younger adults would be.
“Things to look out for are falls, people not managing day-to-day tasks as well as they usually can, sleepiness, personality change and confusion.
“There are lots of different causes for these things, but the key thing is to get people checked out early if you start to notice a problem.
“For family, friends and neighbours, please check in and stay connected with the older people in your life. We all live busy lives but dropping by to make sure someone’s doing okay or inviting them round for a cuppa can make all the difference in keeping them warm and safe. “
Age Scotland is urging the Scottish Government to step up where the UK Government has not and restore the universal Winter Fuel Payment in the wake of the UK Budget.
Stachura said: “This was a big opportunity for the Chancellor and Prime Minister to protect the health of hundreds of thousands of low-income pensioners in Scotland, and they missed it.
“However, with an extra £3.4 billion allocation announced for Scotland, we desperately hope the Scottish Government will now use it to reinstate the devolved Pension Age Winter Heating Payment for all older people – the cost of which would amount to less than 5% of that extra money.
“This would show what Scotland can do using the powers of devolution.”
