Enid 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 Enid. 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 Enid will need to be sensitive in how they offer help and not derail their existing coping strategies.
You may want to consider ways in which you can discuss with Enid how she can change her domestic environment and heating regime to make it easier to use and cheaper to heat. You may also need to identify sources of information relating to keeping warm and well that Enid 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 | |
| Advise about health risk of being cold | |
| Referral for home safety check by community organisation or general practice | |
| Providing information in local venues e.g. Luncheon clubs, churches | |
| Local press engaged in delivering messages about healthy temperatures | |
| Developing or using volunteer and lay approaches to raising awareness e.g. health or energy champions |