Keeping warm in winter
When you are caring for someone with dementia living at home it can be a challenge keeping them warm in winter. As recent memories fade, so does the understanding of inflation and the understanding that even though things seem to cost more now than they did, they are still affordable for that person.
“Keeping warm in cold weather (and also keeping cool when it’s unusually hot for us in our northern cool climate) is a major task”
If your dad thinks the cost of petrol is wild because it should be one shilling and sixpence, an electricity bill that is hundreds of pounds is nearly going to give him a heart attack. You can find ways of reducing the awareness of the actual amounts involved by taking over some of the paperwork, if you have finance power of attorney.
Fuel poverty is real for many people, but imagined fuel poverty is also a significant problem. If your mum is always turning off the heating because she thinks she doesn’t have enough money, her health will suffer in a way that is avoidable. If it really is the case that she doesn’t have enough income to pay, there are actions that you can take.
Make sure that they are collecting all the entitlements and benefits that are available. The government sits on billions of unclaimed benefits every year. Older people with dementia need it more than the Chancellor.
Get help from an organisation that has experience of filling out claim forms. Your local carers organisation can do this and you can find out about them through the GP or by using faithful old Mrs Google. Many applications processes are complex and if someone does a lot of these forms, they’ll do it faster, and they’ll know the things to mention that various agencies are looking to help with.
If the power company is chasing them for money, remember that many of the larger companies have trust funds for people who simply can’t afford fuel.
Keeping warm in cold weather (and also keeping cool when it’s unusually hot for us in our northern cool climate) is a major task. More clothes, better home insulation, eating and drinking the right food…all of these can make a difference. Being too hot or too cold can increase confusion in a person with dementia, potentially with tragic results. Keeping things “just right” is one more challenge for family carers.
