Stay Warm and Safe This Winter: Tips for Disabled People

Winter can be a challenging season, especially for disabled people who may face unique challenges in staying warm and comfortable. Whether you’re managing mobility challenges, energy limiting conditions, autoimmune or other conditions, here are practical tips to help you stay warm this winter.

Wearing the Right Clothing to Keep Warm

Use Thermal Base Layers: Start with lightweight thermal undergarments. These trap heat without adding bulk and are gentle on sensitive skin.
Adaptive Clothing: Look for adaptive winter wear with easy closures like Velcro or magnetic fasteners, which can make dressing simpler for people with mobility limitations. Check out Intotum and get 20% off your first order with a disabled discount code from Purpl.
Fleece and Wool: Fabrics like fleece and wool provide excellent insulation. For those with sensory sensitivities, choose soft, tag-free options.
Keep Your Feet Warm: When you have cold feet, it is hard to get the rest of the body warm. Check out Heat Holders for the warmest thermal socks and accessories and get 12% off with Purpl discounts.

What our members say:

“Heat Holders socks and slippers keep your feet toasty warm. Wearing several thin layers of clothes helps keep the body heat in. I’m actually thinking about buying one the Heat Holders Thermal long sleeve tops to try as I think their socks are great.”

“Just got an Oodie. My goodness is it warm. Looking forward to when it gets colder so i can wear it.”

“I am also a fan of wearing a onesie under other clothes to keep warm so that I have an insulation layer that I can take off if I get too warm. Also having thick socks or slippers for places that I don’t have carpets so I don’t get cold feet.”

“I always wear a vest of some kind to keep my core warm and at home I tuck my leggings/pjs etc into thick socks to stop my ankles and lower legs getting cold and cramping. Blankets are great, as is a warm light either real candle or face, it casts a glow that makes the space look warmer.”

A woman and a little girl sit on a sofa wearing wooly hats and wrapped together in a yellow blanket whilst drinking hot drinks from mugs in a blog article about how to keep warm in winter for disabled people

How to Keep Your Home Warm During Winter

Draft-Proof Your Space: Seal windows and doors with weatherstripping to keep cold air out.
Accessible Heating Options: Smart thermostats or plug-in heaters with remote controls can make temperature adjustments easier. Ensure heaters have safety features like automatic shut-off.
Blanket Warmers: Electric blankets or throws can be lifesavers. Some brands even offer adaptive designs for wheelchair users.
Personal Alarms: Personal alarms empower older adults and disabled people to stay safe while maintaining their independence. Purpl members can get a Taking Care personal alarm disabled discount and save money with a personal alarm discount code.

What are member say:

“I’m told that lining poorly insulated windows with those foil blankets can be very helpful”

“Rechargeable hot water bottle, Rechargeable hand warmers., Hot hands foot & hand warmers for going outside. I work from home and use a heated mouse pad & Electric foot warmer under my desk”

“I’ve got a fleece blanket in each room for night time. Just invested in a weighted blanket from The Oodie in their sale, not tried yet but reviews were good. Also got cozy hoodie from Costco, they’re really warm, and a nice smelling candle in lounge, that generates bit of heat. Take care everyone and stay warm and safe with upcoming weather.”

“I tend to keep blankets in most rooms, I also leave them folded up so when I put it on the inside is already warm.”

Explore Energy Discounts and Support for Disabled People

Heating bills can be daunting, but several programs can help disabled people:

Energy Company Obligation: The ECO scheme works to improve the ability of low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households to heat their homes. This includes actions such as installing insulation or upgrading a heating system.
Are you paying too much for your utilities? Consider shopping around utility providers, Utility Warehouse aims to lower your bills so have a look at the Purpl and Utility Warehouse page.
WaterSure: You may be entitled to Water Sure which caps your water useage.
Cost of Living Payments: you may be entitled to a cost of living payment if you are on a low-income benefit.
Winter Fuel Payment: You may be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, it is for those claiming Pension Credit and certain benefits. Your savings will be taken into account. This could mean you’re still ineligible even if your income is low. You may still be eligible if you’re disabled or a carer. Check if you need to claim Winter Fuel Payment
Cold Weather Payment: If you get some benefits, you may get a Cold Weather Payment if the average temperature in your area is 0 degrees Celsius or below for 7 days in a row.
A Cold Weather Payment is £25 for every 7-day period of very cold weather. Check whether you are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment
The Warm Home Discount: This takes £150 off your electricity bill. It does not affect any other payments you get. If you’re eligible, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send you a letter about the discount. The payment is added to your meter or account or sent to you as vouchers. Check if you’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount
Rebates when you use an oxygen concentrator: If you use an oxygen concentrator at home, you can get a rebate for the electricity it uses. The company that supplies your concentrator can make payments to your bank account. Call the Electricity Rebates (BOC Home Oxygen Service) Patient Service Centre on freephone 0800 136 603 or Call the Electricity Refund (Air Liquide Healthcare) rebate team on freephone 0800 781 9939.
Follow Purpl Discounts on Tiktok, where founder Georgina makes lots of videos about the extra support you can get when you claim PIP or certain other benefits.

What our members say:

“I saved hundreds of pounds by switching my gas, electricity, mobile phone and broadband with Utility Warehouse! And they gave me free Smart meters which really help me in budgeting as I can see how much I am spending day-by-day.”

A woman is using a wheelchair, she is wearing a fleece top and a wooly hat, she is in a kitchen drinking a hot drink for a blog about benefits for disabled people to keep warm in winter

Benefits Entitlement for Disabled People

We know that the benefits system can feel overwhelming to navigate, Turn2Us have a great benefits calculator you can use. You may need support to use this, however computer literate you are, as it can feel upsetting and difficult, so if possible ask a trusted person to help you with it, or you can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for support.

Winter-Proof Your Mobility Aids

Wheelchair Accessories: Insulated lap blankets, weatherproof wheelchair covers, and hand warmers for joystick controls can make outdoor trips more comfortable.
Non-Slip Add-ons: Invest in winter-friendly cane tips or anti-slip grips for crutches.
Scooter Maintenance: If you use a mobility scooter, ensure the battery is fully charged and consider all-weather covers.
Mobility Aids: Check out Betty & Bertie, the trusted mobility partner who are offering fantastic Mobility Scooter discount codes to Purpl members. Also Zeal are reimagining mobility walkers for a generation of people who want their mobility aids to match their aesthetic, Zeal are offering 15% off pre-orders to Purpl members in this great disabled discount deal!

Connect with Other People Through ‘Warm Spaces’

There are 4,000+ Warm Welcome Spaces right across the UK. The difference they make to communities is remarkable; they bring connection, friendship, and human warmth, helping people feel less isolated and lonely and boosting wellbeing. You can filter your search to include accessible toilets and Wi-Fi. Find a warm welcome space.

Plan for Emergencies

Gather some supplies that you may need to prepare for winter storms or power outages:

Spare batteries for torches and radios
A backup battery for medical equipment
A first aid kit
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Bottled water
Non-perishable food
Baby supplies
Blankets
Medications and any medical aids you may need
Non-perishable food
A list of emergency contacts and services

Eat Well to Keep Your Body Nourished

Eating warm, nutrient-rich meals can help you feel warmer from the inside out. Try:

Soup and Stews: These are easy to prepare in bulk and keep well for reheating.
Air Fryers: are a quick and easy way to cook and can be incredibly energy efficient too. Take a look at some of our Black Friday Air Fryer Deals.
Hot Drinks: Herbal teas, hot chocolate, or simply warm water with lemon can boost your core temperature. Wonky Coffee are offering discounts for disabled people through Purpl.
Energy-Rich Foods: Incorporate healthy fats like avocados and nuts to maintain energy levels.

A mother and daughter outdoors are hugging, the mum is a wheelchair user for a post about how can disabled people stay active and keep warm in winter

Staying Active to Stay Warm

Staying active helps regulate body temperature and improves circulation, but icy pavements or fatigue can limit outdoor activity.

Chair Yoga or Gentle Stretching: Online tutorials for seated exercises can be a great way to stay active.
Movement Reminders: Use apps or timers to encourage regular stretching, even if it’s just wiggling toes and fingers to boost circulation.
Local exercise groups: Lots of community centres or councils offer cheap or even free exercise groups for all abilities, get out what is going on in your area.
Local walking groups: If you want to get out walking, whether that is unaided, with mobility aids or in a wheelchair, have a look for what is offered locally. Parkrun is a free 5K or 2K walk or run with locations all over the country, don’t be put off by the name if you aren’t a runner! They say: “Whether you are walking, jogging, or running, our courses are carefully selected to accommodate a range of abilities. We strive to remove barriers to participation, yet understand that you are best equipped to decide whether a parkrun course is suitable for you. We do not determine the suitability or otherwise of our courses for wheelchairs, as this varies greatly depending on the skill and experience of the individual. All our event teams can be contacted via the email address at the bottom of the event web page, and they would be delighted to talk through the details of their course so that you can decide whether a course is suitable for you.”
Fitness classes: Brand Inc Fitness is an inclusive hub for Every Body to feel welcome and comes from a personal place and desire to use fitness as a force for good in supporting people with access to exercise. We truly believe that at the appropriate level, most individuals can benefit from an increase in physical activity and the 99p Fitness Adaptive Online Personal Training Programme is a brilliant and inclusive place to start. Get your first month free with Purpl and online fitness discount codes!

We hope these tips will be helpful to you or your loved ones, you can share this blog by using the green Share button in the top right hand corner of the screen!

If you have your own hints and tips that you would like to share, then why not join our private Facebook Members Group where you can meet people, chat and also get first look at our newest brands, deals, discounts and offers!

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