Keeping John warm

Help with heating for man living with dementia

John is in his 50s and lives with his wife in a home they own in Eastleigh. John was a boxer in his heyday but it left him with ‘boxer’s dementia’ and he’s prone to frequent falls. John receives disability benefits as a result. His wife, Cynthia, works and is John’s main carer.

Their 25 year old boiler recently failed so they were left without or heating upstairs and no hot water. The Energy Saving Advice Service pointed them to the Hitting the Cold Spots project and Cynthia gave them a call.

Heating Help

John and Cynthia still had some very limited, inefficient heating downstairs but the old boiler wouldn’t provide heat upstairs and their electric immersion also broke, making it difficult for John to bathe.

During the initial phone call, the Hitting the Cold Spots advisor arranged to visit the couple and sent them a link to Southern Water’s Priority Services Register. He also suggested they call local Buy With Confidence installers to quote for a boiler replacement.

At the visit, the advisor completed grant paperwork but also recommended a number of health and wellbeing services. The couple applied for funding through the Hitting the Cold Spots project as well as a grant from Eastleigh Borough Council. Their application was successful and the new boiler was installed shortly after funding was confirmed.

Further Support

Talking to the couple, their advisor discussed other assistance offered through partner organisations:

• Adult Services sent an Occupational Therapist to the home to look at a Disabled Facilities Grant for a wet room at a cost of approximately £15,000,

which would allow John to bathe downstairs and avoid future slips, trips and falls.

• John could benefit from balance classes offered through the NHS and Cynthia will enquire about this when John next sees his specialist.

• The couple had a Safe & Well visit from the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service, who fitted two smoke alarms, a carbon monoxide monitor and created an escape plan for them in case of an emergency.

• Carers Together and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers can offer Cynthia extra support if she decides she needs it.

Savings and outcomes

The couple received full funding for the boiler replacement: Hitting the Cold Spots secured £2,780 and Eastleigh Borough Council contributed £500.

The new, more efficient boiler should reduce John and Cynthia’s energy bills too.

The couple says: “Things have improved a lot.”

If you know someone who needs help with their heating, please call the Hitting the Cold Spots team on Freephone 0800 804 8601 or email staywarm@ environmentcentre.com.