8 minute read
Left in the Cold
Rising energy prices have many of us on edge, but help for vulnerable people is available
Last month, it was announced that the energy cap would rise significantly as of April by a staggering £693 - a borderline catastrophic rise of 54%, with some reports stating that it could increase again after a review later in the year. Vulnerable people will be disproportionately affected by the rise: older people, chronically ill and disabled people, and people living close to the poverty line may be worried about how they can afford to heat their homes, or be rationing energy in a way that leaves them vulnerable to the effects of cold weather. The thought of being unable to afford bills is terrifying for some, and the knock-on effect to other aspects of health and wellbeing can cause real concern, but there are ways to get help. CONTACT THE SUPPLIER
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One of the primary pieces of advice given to people in the wake of the price rise announcements by all suppliers was that if you cannot afford your gas and electricity bill, you should contact them. If someone is in debt to their energy supplier, they will often allow this debt to be paid off in instalments, and are obligated to take into account how much you can afford to pay them, and how much energy you will likely use in the future. This will allow them to continue using power and chipping away at the debt, which can hopefully provide some relief, but if the repayment plan is still too much, the supplier may be open to negotiating the move to a less costly deal, or may insist that a pre-payment metre is installed. However, it’s worth noting that Ofgem suggests that paying by Direct Debit usually works out to be cheaper, and - if it’s possible - it may also be cheaper to install a smart meter, but people who live in rented accommodation might not be able to get this. SCHEMES AND BENEFITS
There are an assortment of benefits and schemes available, especially for vulnerable and elderly people who may struggle to cover their bills. These schemes differ between the four nations of the United Kingdom, and vary quite a bit in how much they cover. The Winter Fuel Payment is likely the most well known: this benefit sees people who were born on or before 26 September 1955 a payment of between £100 and £300 to cover part of their fuel bills; the Warm Home Discount is a similar benefit which will see people who receive Pension Credits and other benefits get a £140 discount on their energy bill. The Cold Weather Payment can also see households receive a £25 payment for seven-day periods of cold weather that have occurred between November and March - this may be particularly handy after the winter we’ve just had. REACH OUT
Speaking to charities for help, advice and resources can provide valuable assistance: Turn2Us have a tool on their website that allows people to search for grants that can help them, and some other charities may be able to offer grants to cover part of the debt. Additionally, specialist debt charities like National Debtline can offer valuable advice and education on budgeting and debt management.
Nutrition and Hydration Care?
Maia Fergus-O’Grady, registered dietitian with Wiltshire Farm Foods, explores how OTs can help ensure patients stay nourished and hydrated
This 14 – 20 March sees the 10th anniversary of Nutrition & Hydration Week; a week designed to promote the importance of nutrition in maintaining the health and wellbeing of individuals within health and social care. Poor nutrition can have devastating effects, including longer and more frequent hospital stays, poorer wound healing, and increased risk of falls. OTs are extremely well-positioned to spot the signs of malnutrition, and therefore have a valuable role to play. The NHS has published a document called “10 key characteristics of good nutrition and hydration care”. These key characteristics are paraphrased below, alongside suggestions as to how OTs could contribute towards their achievement.
Poor nutrition can have devastating effects
1Screen all service-users to identify
malnourishment or risk of malnourishment, ensuring actions are progressed and monitored.
Around 93% of malnourished individuals live in the community – many aren’t nutritionally screened using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) on a consistent basis. As OTs, this is something you could potentially assist in monitoring, particularly if you notice any signs of malnutrition in your service users. Some of the more subtle signs of malnutrition include looser clothing and jewellery, empty cupboards, food rotting in the fridge, and changes in energy and activity levels.
2Create a personal care plan together with
each service user.
OTs can get a real understanding of how service users live, often gaining valuable insight into their dietary preferences and habits. If relayed on to the relevant healthcare professionals within your multidisciplinary team, this could contribute to the formulation of a highly specialised care plan individuals are more likely to follow.
3Care providers should present information
on the food and beverage options and nutritional guidance available within their service delivery.
OTs should be aware of the options available within their company or trust that help support an individuals’ nutrition and hydration needs. Knowing of meal delivery services and lunch clubs that operate in the local area, and where to find your organisation’s diet sheets could prove useful.
4People using care services are involved in the
planning and monitoring arrangements for food service and drinks provision.
Not only can OTs be key spokespeople for service users when revising an organisation’s framework, but they may also have a good understanding of planning and monitoring arrangements at an individual level – do service users feel overwhelmed with their current care plan, or do they want further intervention?
5Food and drink should be provided in a
conducive environment for service users to eat well.
Whether you work with in- or out-patients, it’s important to ensure that food is eaten in a suitable environment. This will look different for each person; some may eat larger quantities with others – some may need to have distractions eliminated to eat well. OTs are also key in identifying individuals who may need eating aids to feed themselves, such as scoop plates and non-slip placemats.
6Healthcare professionals should receive
regular nutrition and hydration training.
It may prove useful to ask the relevant colleagues in your trust to signpost you to the existing resources within your organisation or help coordinate training for your MDT; building a general awareness of the signs and symptoms of malnutrition and dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) is vital when working through your caseload.
Healthcare professionals should receive regular nutrition and hydration training
7Services providing nutrition and hydration
should be flexible and centred around the needs of the people using them.
How can you be more flexible in your role to ensure that service users receive good nutrition and hydration care? It might be refilling a service user’s glass of water, opening a yoghurt or nutritional supplement, or even simply ensuring that their food is visible and within reach.
8All care providers are to have a nutrition and
hydration policy centred on the needs of users.
Having an awareness of your own organisation’s policies and guidance is essential to be able to provide the best care to your service users, as regulations will differ nationally.
9Food, drinks, and other nutritional care are
delivered safely.
Despite a higher prevalence within the elderly, dysphagia is an under-diagnosed condition. OTs are well-placed to pick up individuals who may be experiencing dysphagia, but only if they have a good awareness of the signs. Choking, coughing on food and frequent chest infections are clear indicators, but others include food aversion and refusal, watering eyes, persistent throat clearing and perspiration during eating.
10 Care providers should take a multidisciplinary approach to nutritional and hydrational care, valuing the contribution
of all persons involved.
Whilst the dietitian’s role is to assess the nutritional status of service users, it’s important to highlight how OTs can positively contribute to a patient’s nutritional status. When HCPs work together as a team, actively engaging in an individual’s care, service users are more likely to not only have a good nutritional outcome, but clinical outcome too. For more tips and advice on how to manage nutrition and hydration with your service users, listen in to Wiltshire Farm Foods’ podcast, Dietitian Diaries, from wherever you download your podcasts. The latest episode features insights from Age UK Senior Health Influencer, Lesley Carter, and Registered Dietitian, Sue Baic discussing the social implications of malnutrition.
wiltshirefarmfoods.com
NAIDEX RETURNS THIS SUMMER!
Registration is open for the flagship event of the disabled community, which takes the stage this summer on 6-7 July at the NEC, Birmingham
Naidex is Europe’s most established event dedicated to supporting disabled people. An interactive two days showcasing a wide range of solutions and technology to improve mobility, accessibility, and independence. Naidex is for everyone, and welcomes anyone who is living with a disability, as well as anyone caring for or supplying to this amazing community. For those working within healthcare, there is the opportunity to enhance your professional development with the CPD accredited seminar agenda, making the event not only enjoyable, but informative and educational too. Running alongside the Neuro Convention, the event brings together the industry’s top educators and thought-leaders for you to meet and learn from, providing solutions that will help patients become more self-sufficient and independent. Experience the latest independent living solutions and daily living aids, meet with hundreds of innovative exhibitors and awe-inspiring speakers, and most of all have fun! All this, along with interactive features such as the Mobility Test Track and Accessibility Summit, make Naidex the go-to event of the year. The Naidex team can’t wait to welcome you to the NEC once again for what is set to be a fantastic event for the community, helping people understand that anything is possible. Register for your free tickets at naidex.co.uk.
