- Data from a leading telecare provider reveals 45% of homes occupied by vulnerable elderly people were heated to below the recommended 18 degrees in January 2024
- Taking Care Sense is an in-home device that monitors room temperature and prompts loved ones and carers if temperatures drop to unhealthy levels
- The devices recorded an alarming number of elderly homes were not heated properly last winter, with some elderly living in homes as cold as 8C
- “Insufficient heating in the homes of elderly, vulnerable people present serious health risks,” warns Steve Gates, Taking Care Managing Director
A leading elderly care company has warned of the dangers of poorly heated homes after a study found that 45% of homes occupied by vulnerable elderly people were heated to below NHS recommendations in January 2024.
Taking Care Sense is an in-home device that monitors room temperature and prompts loved ones and carers if temperatures change to unhealthy levels.
The NHS recommends that regularly occupied rooms should be heated to at least 18 degrees during winter (source: NHS).
Data from Taking Care Sense devices report that in 45% of homes where the devices were placed, the average temperature was below the NHS recommended 18 degrees in January 2024, and 1-in-3 homes (35%) where the average temperature was below the NHS recommended 18 degrees in December 2023.
The devices are placed in elderly people’s homes to alert loved ones and carers of any changes to typical lifestyle habits to prompt a wellbeing check. No installation is required and devices are typically placed in commonly-used rooms, such as kitchens.
The devices usually monitor changes in routine behaviour, such as the number of times the kettle is used or windows and doors are opened, to alert carers of changes in lifestyle patterns that may indicate health challenges. However, last winter the telecare firm introduced temperature monitoring after the 2022 energy crisis.
The findings come after reports reveal that fuel poverty hit one in four social housing residents last winter (source: Guardian) and charity National Energy Action reported 1.8 million older people turned off their heating completely last winter (source: Mirror).
Commenting on the findings, Steve Gates, Managing Director at Taking Care Personal Alarms said: “The temperature data from our devices is alarming, as no one should have to live in homes that are heated below the recommended NHS temperatures.
“This is particularly important for people like our customers, who are often vulnerable elderly adults who need additional support, which makes it all the more concerning that on average 1-in-3 of the homes we monitor did not have an average temperature of more than the recommended 18 degrees.
“Insufficient heating in the homes of elderly, vulnerable people presents a serious risk through a number of conditions including hypothermia and can exacerbate existing health issues.
“This winter will be a worrying time for lots of us with the cost-of-living crisis threatening to push many elderly people into fuel poverty over the next few months.
“Support is available for elderly people who need help paying for energy bills. The Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off payment of up to £600 that is paid to qualifying elderly people in November 2023.
It’s important to note that to be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you must have been born before September 25, 1957 and lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 18 to 24 September 2023 – known as the ‘qualifying week’. To check if you’re elderly relatives are eligible, visit the government website.
The new solution has been developed by smart technology developer, IoT Solutions Group, who partnered with Taking Care Personal Alarms to combine the device with the personal alarm provider’s award-winning and life-saving monitoring personal alarm service.
In light of the findings, Taking Care Personal Alarms has released guidance on how families and friends of elderly people can help their loved ones prepare for the winter season.
The healthcare provider is encouraging people to ‘Think H.E.A.T’ this winter to keep elderly loved ones safe. The acronym stands for:
H – Home safety; check they’re getting the support they need at home
E – Essentials; ensure loved ones have access to winter essentials
A – Active; make sure they keep up activity levels, such as gentle exercise and social activities
T – Temperature; check the home is heated to a minimum of 18 degrees