Fred 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 Fred. 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. Living your life by routine provides comfort to some older people like Fred and give then a feeling of being in control. People like Fred value what has always worked for them and don’t see the need to ‘mend something that isn’t broken’. Those working with or coming into contact with older people like Fred will need to have ways to assess the risk that they may make them cold because of the decisions they make. You may want to consider ways in which you can discuss with Fred healthy temperatures with Fred that mean he will listen. You may also need to identify sources of information relating to keeping warm and well that Fred will trust.
Developing local partnerships can help to develop and deliver clear and consistent messages from acceptable and accessible sources.
| Some examples of what could others do? | What could you do? This will depend on your role |
| Build information into flu vaccination clinics | |
| Advise about health risk of being cold | |
| Providing information in local venues e.g. Royal British Legion Club, Post Office | |
| 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 |