• Be winter ready
• Speak to your village or community agent
• Winter fuel payment
• Cold weather payment
• Warm home discount scheme
• Go online to Somerset Age UK
• Minor illness, inury or physiotherapy
• If you need help with normal daily activities after illness or injury

Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

• Heat your rooms to a minimum of 18°C (65°F). If you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before you go to sleep
• Keep your bedroom window closed at night. Breathing in cold air is bad for your health and could put you at risk of a chest infection
• Use a wheat bag or hot water bottle to keep warm
• Make sure you are receiving any benefits you are entitled to. Your local village agent can provide advice and even help you to fill out forms
• Hot meals and drinks help to keep you warm, so have regular hot drinks and eat at least one hot meal a day if possible. Eating regularly helps keep energy levels up during winter
• Wear several light layers of clothes (rather than one chunky layer). Thermal underwear can be good as a base layer

Hot meals and drinks help to keep you warm, so eat at least one hot meal each day and have hot drinks during the day, especially during cold weather.

• Wholesome soups make a warming snack. Include a good range of foods in your diet (for example wholegrain cereals, milk and cheese for calcium)
• Aim for five portions of fruit and vegetables each day, so that you’re getting plenty of nutrients and vitamins
• Remember that frozen vegetables are as good as fresh
• Having a glass of water within reach during the daytime will remind you to keep up your fluid intake. Having a hot drink before bed and keeping one in a flask by your bedside can be good ideas too
• It’s important to eat enough, especially in winter. If you’re worried about a poor appetite or losing weight, speak to your GP