MEMBERS OF the public have been urged to monitor the welfare of their older neighbours and relatives who may feel lonely or forgotten over the festive season.
Éamon Timmins of Age Action says Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for older people and that it is important for neighbours to be vigilant as many home help workers, on whom older people depend, take a break.
"It is important that the general public play their role in helping their older neighbours and friends, and that older people themselves take steps to keep well over the holiday period," he said.
Mr Timmins said older people must ensure their home was well heated, ideally between 18 and 21 degrees, during the winter months to lessen the chance of ailments developing.
Age Action has said that between 1,500 and 2,000 excess deaths occur during the winter and that cold weather, inadequate heating and poorly insulated homes are contributory factors.
"Medical research has found when temperatures fall below 16 degrees there is an increased risk of respiratory problems," Mr Timmins said.
"Where it drops below 12 degrees, blood thickens and there is an increased risk of stroke or heart attack."
Some 500 pairs of microwaveable slippers have been donated to Age Action by Longford company Wavewear in an attempt to help older people overcome the cold.
James Connolly of Wavewear said poor circulation meant old people were more likely to feel the cold and that he hoped the slippers "warm the cockles on these cold winter nights".
