Keeping warm and well this winter
Last reviewed: June 2026
When the cold weather sets in, a little extra care goes a long way, especially as we get older. Keeping warm is not just about comfort: it helps protect against coughs, colds, flu and more serious problems, and helps you stay well right through the winter months. The good news is that most of it comes down to a few simple, practical steps, and there is help available if money or heating is a worry. Here is how to look after yourself, and others, when it turns cold.
Why keeping warm matters
Cold homes and cold weather can be hard on the body, particularly for those of us over 65 or living with a heart or chest condition. Being cold raises the risk of colds, flu and chest infections, and can put extra strain on the heart. That is why it is worth taking the cold seriously, because a few small changes really can make all the difference.
Keeping your home warm
Aim to heat the rooms you use most to at least 18 degrees. A few easy things help your heating go further: draw the curtains as dusk falls to keep the warmth in, block draughts around doors and windows, and keep your bedroom window closed on cold nights. A hot water bottle or an electric blanket can be lovely for warming the bed, though do use one or the other rather than both together, and have older electric blankets checked to make sure they are still safe.
Keeping yourself warm
Wearing several thinner layers will keep you warmer than one thick jumper, as the layers trap the heat between them. Try to keep moving about during the day rather than sitting still for hours at a time, and have regular hot meals and warm drinks, which help keep your inner warmth up. Warm socks and slippers with a good grip are well worth having too, and help guard against slips. Our guide on staying steady on your feet has more on that.
Eating and drinking well
A hot meal and regular hot drinks do more than warm you up, they keep your energy and your spirits up as well. It is also sensible to keep a few tins and essentials in the cupboard, along with a little extra of any medicines you take, in case bad weather makes it hard to get to the shops or the chemist for a day or two.
Get your winter jabs
The free NHS winter vaccinations are one of the best ways to stay well, and they are well worth having. The flu jab is free for everyone aged 65 and over, and the COVID-19 booster is offered to those aged 75 and over, along with anyone who has a weakened immune system. You may also be due other one-off vaccinations, such as the pneumonia jab at 65, the shingles vaccine, and the RSV vaccine, which protects against a nasty winter chest virus and is offered from around the age of 75. Eligibility is reviewed each year, so it is worth checking with your GP or pharmacist what you are due. If you are eligible, the NHS will usually contact you, and if you are housebound your surgery can arrange to give you a jab at home.
Looking after your health if you feel unwell
If you do come down with something, please do not wait to get help, especially if you are 65 or older. Your pharmacist can advise on minor illnesses and tell you whether you need to see a doctor, your GP can help, and you can call NHS 111, or use 111.nhs.uk, if you have an urgent problem and are not sure what to do. In an emergency, always call 999. The sooner you get advice, the sooner you will be on the mend.
Help with heating bills
Worrying about the cost of heating can tempt people to go without, but please do not, as there is a fair amount of help available. Payments such as the Winter Fuel Payment and the Warm Home Discount, along with cheaper tariffs and extra support, can all ease the burden. Our guide on help with heating and energy bills explains it all, and it is well worth a look.
If there is a power cut
It is worth signing up to your energy company's Priority Services Register, a free service that gives you extra help and priority if the power goes off, which is especially reassuring if you rely on medical equipment or find the cold hard to manage. If you do have a power cut, you can call 105 free of charge for help. Keeping a torch, a charged phone and a few warm blankets to hand is sensible too.
Somewhere warm, and a bit of company
In the colder months, many libraries and community venues open their doors as warm, welcoming places where you can sit in the warm, often with a hot drink and a friendly face. It is a nice way to save a little on heating and enjoy some company at the same time, so do ask at your local library what is on. Winter can feel longer and lonelier when it is dark and harder to get out, so our guides on feeling lonely and looking after your mental health may help too.
Look out for one another
A cold snap is a good time to check on older relatives, friends and neighbours, with a quick knock on the door or a phone call to make sure they are warm and well. And if someone you know would welcome a regular, friendly call through the winter, our befriending service here at BrightLife is always glad to help.
Where to get help, locally and nationally
Close to home, across Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire:
- Your GP or local pharmacy, for winter vaccinations and advice if you are feeling unwell.
- Your local Derbyshire library, for a warm, welcoming place and to find out what is on nearby.
- Call Derbyshire, on 01629 533190, for help to stay safe and well at home.
- Citizens Advice, for help with heating costs and benefits. For Bolsover and North East Derbyshire, call 0808 250 5702.
Across the country:
- NHS 111, on 111 or at 111.nhs.uk, for urgent health advice, and nhs.uk for information on winter vaccinations.
- Your energy supplier's Priority Services Register, for extra help, and 105 to report a power cut.
- MoneyHelper, on 0800 138 7777, for free help with bills.