Wendy Higgs, who was once so cold in her home that she caught pneumonia, tells us how Age UK has made a huge difference to her life.
Wendy is in her early 60s and lives in Buckinghamshire.
'I don’t like winter at all, because it’s so cold. You put on layers and layers to keep yourself warm, but even though you dress up you’re still cold.
It used to get very cold here in the winter. You could see the frost on the inside of the bedroom window.
My daughter and I would just spend most of the day in the lounge, in front of the gas fire – because we didn’t have any central heating.
You can tell it’s not good for you because if you don’t keep yourself warm, you feel worse. I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the weather can really make it flare up.
Emergency
One winter, I fell out of my chair and had to go to hospital. When I got there, the doctor said I had severe pneumonia and they kept me in intensive care.
I don’t remember much to be honest, it’s all a bit of a blur – but when I got out my daughter told me that, at one point, they didn’t think I was going to make it.
That’s when my local Age UK got involved. They were running a programme to provide home insulation for older people.
They came round and fitted my house with draught excluders, new double-glazed windows, and a new central heating system.
Now it’s marvellous. I still don't like winter – but this will make a big difference.'
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