Keeping well during the winter season

We have put together information from CNWL to help you manage some of the challenges you might face during the winter season. You can find more information here.

Stay safe with simple steps

Preventing falls – the do's and the don’ts

As we get older, the risk of falling tends to increase, and the effects aren’t just physical—they can take an emotional toll too. By recognising the factors that lead to falls, we can take steps to prevent them.

There are some practical steps you can take to prevent falls:

• Do wear your glasses and hearing aids and get them checked regularly to help with your balance and co-ordination.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol and be aware of the affects it has on your balance and coordination. 
• Don’t stand for long periods but remember to sit and take breaks or complete tasks sitting down where you can.
• Do keep warm. Moving around regularly helps to keep your joints moving and your muscles warm, and helps to reduce your risk of falling.
• Do remove trip hazards. Beware of things like blankets, or trailing wires from heaters.
• Don’t forget to take a mobile phone. with you as you go out to get help if needed.​​​​​​​

Preventing falls 

Keeping hydrated

Staying hydrated through the winter can boost your immune system help you stay warmer in the winter months. 

Top tips for keeping yourself hydrated

• Avoid sugary beverages such as soda or energy drinks.
• Caffeinated drinks can speed up urine production, which may seem counterproductive when you're trying to stay hydrated.
• Drink teas. If you enjoy hot drinks, you can aim to hydrate yourself by drinking normal, flavoured or fruit teas. 
• Always carry a water bottle with you. Invest in a reusable water bottle and always have it with you – at work, in the car, on a walk etc. It will be a useful reminder to keep drinking throughout the day. 
• Download a water reminder app to set up reminder notifications that urge you to drink at regular intervals throughout the day. ​​​​​​​
• Use your mealtimes as a reminder to drink. 
• During the winter months you could make fresh soups or broths as these are high in water content, avoiding those that are cream based. 
• People may worry about toilet visits at night. Encourage fluid consumption earlier during the day.

NHS 111 

NHS 111 is a free service which you should use if you need medical help or advice that isn’t an emergency. 111 is available 24 hours a day, all year round and staffed by a local team that will get you the help you need, right when you need it.

You can contact NHS 111 by using the free online service (111.nhs.uk) or by calling 111 from any telephone.

You should only call 999 if it is an immediate, life threatening emergency. Before you call 999 or go to A&E, please ask yourself whether your situation is a real emergency.

What support is available to me?

CNWL Community Independence Service

The Community Independence Service (CIS) is an intermediate person-centred service providing advanced short-term nursing care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and social care to people with immediate health issues or needs which affects their mobility or day-to-day activities.

The service is available seven days a week from 8am to 10pm for adults over the age of 18 who live in, and are registered with a GP in the following boroughs:

• Hammersmith & Fulham
• Kensington & Chelsea
• Westminster

CNWL NHS Talking Therapies Service

Get support with your emotional wellbeing (anxiety and depression) with Talking therapies.

The Coves

Get help in a mental health crisis by visiting your local Cove - community support for individuals (16+) experiencing a crisis or in mental distress.

Hub of Hope

Visit the Hub of Hope to find services from healthcare providers and local charities and groups.

Kooth

Access support from a professional, speak to others about your wellbeing on a safe forum with Kooth. For ages 11-25.

Single Point of Access

If you need help immediately, contact CNWL’s Single Point of Access Line 24/7 - 0800 0234 650.

Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS)

The Mental Health Crisis Assessment Service (MHCAS) offers a calm and therapeutic mental health setting to treat the majority of emergency mental health presentations.

This is a service for anyone over 18 years old that would otherwise go to an emergency department for mental health reasons and does not have an urgent medical need (for example, an overdose of medication).