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- Ben and Joan Part 1 Exercises
- Ben and Joan Part 2
- Ben and Joan Part 2 Exercises
- Ben and Joan Part 3
- Ben and Joan Part 3 Exercises
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Ben and Joan 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 Ben and Joan. It is important to take on board and act on appropriate information. We have to consider what sources of information people trust. Clear and consistent messages are necessary to gain trust and promote behaviour change.
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 encourage older people to keep their house warm. It is sometimes hard to intervene to support people in keeping warm when they are private about how they live their lives. National Energy Action recommends that 3 questions should be asked of older people to establish whether they are cold at home. If you suspect someone is "putting a brave face on things" it may be worth using these questions to identify where the risk is and what can potentially be done to help.
- Is your whole house warm in winter?
- Do you have difficulty paying your energy bills?
- Do you have difficulty heating your whole house?
Those working with, or coming into contact with, older people like Ben and Joan will need to be sensitive in how they offer help and not appear to be criticising their current coping strategies
You may want to consider ways in which you can discuss with Ben and Joan how they can change their domestic environment and heating regime to make it easier to use and to avoid using expensive means of heating their property. You may also need to identify sources of information relating to keeping warm and well that Ben and Joan will trust.
| Some examples of what others could do | What could you do? This will depend on your role |
| Build information into flu vaccination clinics | |
| Frontline workers advise about health risks of being cold | |
| Referral for grants to make home more energy efficient, undertake a benefits entitlement review and home fire safety check | |
| Providing information in local venues e.g. Luncheon clubs, churches, GP surgeries, health centres, libraries | |
| Local press and radio stations engaged in delivering messages |