Shropshire Star

Star comment: Cold facts on winter fuel agony

It's no fun being old. That is the irrefutable conclusion following the publication of two surveys during the past week into the lives of Shropshire residents.

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Elderly residents suffer from a disproportionately high level of loneliness as they are increasingly abandoned by friends, family and society in their twilight years. Matters are compounded by fuel poverty as we head into the depths of winter.

Shropshire is in the bottom 10 per cent of counties when it comes to residents being unable to keep warm. The county is the 13th worst out of the 152 local authorities in England. In simple terms, the elderly are unable to afford heating bills. They face an insidious choice between keeping warm, buying food or paying other bills. There is an obvious impact on the health of those who are unable to keep warm. Those with cardiovascular and respiratory disease are more likely to die during winter if they are cold.

Mental health is negatively affected by fuel poverty while cold housing also affects dexterity and increases the risk of accidents and injuries at home. It is not only the elderly who suffer when homes are cold during winter. Fuel poverty has a dramatic impact on the lives of children, too.

Studies show that more than one in four adolescents living in cold houses are at risk of multiple mental health problems, compared to one in 20 youngsters who live in warm housing. Cold housing increases the level of minor illnesses and exacerbates existing conditions.

It negatively affects children's educational attainment, emotional well-being and resilience, in addition to negatively affecting dietary choices. In simple terms, there is nothing good about living in cold housing.

Age UK is highlighting the problems here in Shropshire and highlighting the high number of premature elderly deaths caused by fuel poverty.

At a time of year when thoughts turn to the festive season we have a responsibility to help protect the elderly and vulnerable members of our community. Simple acts of kindness have play a huge part in improving the quality of lives of our neighbours.

Our shared humanity should be at the forefront of our minds as we take care of those who need our help and kindness.

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