Winter can be a particularly difficult time for somebody living with dementia. The bad weather and colder temperatures can bring specific challenges and can sometimes make symptoms temporarily worse. 

With the temperatures now dropping and winter really settling in. Our thoughts turn to keeping warm and to affording the payments to cover the increase in heating bills. 

We have collated some information below to help you with keeping warm and finding support in your local area. Please do follow the links below. 

Alzheimer’s Society has some advice for 7 ways to support a person with dementia in wintry weather.  Such as how to keep a room warm, keeping active and making sure you eat and drink well. 

Wintry weather can bring increased feelings of isolation due to lengthy periods indoors and Dementia UK have tips and advice which can help. 

With more localised information please do look at the Sussex Health and Care website. 

For information about paying your heating bills during these winter months, please look at the West Sussex County Council website for more information. 

Many local Age UK’s run cafes and restaurants offering hot food and somewhere warm to go to in the winter to find out more visit Age UK. 

The Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly tax-free payment of between £250 and £600 to help people pay for their heating in winter. You will usually receive a letter if you are entitled to this. Getting the payment will not affect any of your other benefits. Carers UK have 16 tips to help you reduce your heating bills. 

If it is just a cuppa and cake you are after, then look at TripAdvisor’s top tips for cafes within West Sussex here. 

Stay warm and safe everyone.