Pat Part 3 Reflective Exercises
Taking Action
So far we have considered how we identify people at risk of being cold in their home, and we have thought about what influences their decisions and behaviour. In Part 3 we would like you to think about what action needs to be taken to improve the situation for people like Pat. It is not appropriate to everyone who works with or supports older people to be experts in energy, housing or health. What is important is to know how we can help people access the help they need. In order to do this we need to assess, refer and work together with others. Partnership working is essential if we are to ensure all older people are living in appropriate temperatures for physical and mental health.
Part 3 Question 1
Reflections on Question 1
Part 3 Question 2
Reflections on Question 2
Having thought about how to identify people at risk and understand their behaviour, it is now important to consider what can be done to help people. In order to take action those working with, or caring for older people, will need to have ways to assess that risk.
National Energy Action recommends that 3 questions should be asked of older people to establish whether they are cold at home.
- Is your whole house warm in winter?
- Do you have difficulty paying your energy bills?
- Do you have difficulty heating your whole house?
- You may want to consider ways to integrate these 3 questions into routine assessment.
If the answers to these questions raise concern, you need to know what referral mechanisms are available to you. [1-2]
2. Department of Health. Cold Weather Plan for England: Supporting the case. London: Department of Health, 2012
Development of a ing local partnership at both a frontline and strategic levels will help these referrals run smoothly.
| Some examples of what could others do? | What could you do? This will depend on your role |
| Landlord could improve the energy efficiency of the home | |
| Environmental Health could assess the property using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessment to determine whether cold as a hazard is present | |
| Home Fire Safety Risk Assessment undertaken - as Pat falls asleep in front to the TV (and is a smoker) | |
| Build assessment into flu vaccination clinics | |
| Refer to appropriate health services (i.e. smoking cessation) | |
| Advise about health risk of being cold at home |