Worried About Your Rising Fule Costs? Check out the Green County Energy Assistance Program
Are you someone that has struggled with increased costs of fule? Do you know if someone that can't afford heating fuel and is heating his or her home with space heaters? If so, the Green County Energy Assistance Program may offer some help to these households.
Energy Assistance eligibility is based on the income of the household (no asset test). We look at the previous three months'income to determine eligibility for Energy Assistance. Eligible households will receive a one-time payment towards their heating and electric costs. This payment goes directly towards their heating and electric costs. This payment goes directly to your fuel and electric vendor and your account is credited with the deposit.
So, if you need help with your heating costs and you think you may be eligible, please give the Green County Energy Assistance Program a call at 608-328-9344.
Cold Weather Safety Tips for Seniors
Kin Hubbard once said, “Don’t knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in awhile”. Although this is so true this change in weather can pose many dangers to seniors in Wisconsin. Winter weather can bring icy sidewalks, cool dry air and the cold and flu viruses, all of which are risks to seniors who are susceptible to illness and accidents during this time.
Winter related accidents and illnesses can send a number of seniors to the doctor, but that doesn’t mean seniors have to sit this winter out…a few precautions can help seniors have a safe and secure winter.
Seniors are more susceptible to loss of body heat or hypothermia. Here are a few tips that can help protect against the illnesses that can result:
1. When outdoors remember to dress warmly. Wear loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each other. Always wear a hat to protect against heat less since about 30 to 50 percent of body heat loss is through the head.
2. Keep your thermostat set to at least 65 degrees to prevent hypothermia. Even when you are not home, you can help to prevent freezing pipes by maintaining a high enough temperature in your walls.
3. Caulking or plastic sheets can protect windows and keep that warm air in and the drafts out.
Seniors bodies aren’t as resilient as they once were. It is important to keep a few things in mind that are more important as you get older than were in your younger years.
1. Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors work. CO is a potentially dangerous gas emitted by fuel-burning heaters and appliances. Seniors’ bodies can’t eliminate CO as quickly as younger adults.
2. Outdoor winter tasks such as shoveling snow take more energy than many seniors think, especially because cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body and take frequent breaks.
3. Protect your skin with heavier, more protective creams and lotions. In the winter the relative humidity inside drops to below 60 percent causing skin to lose moisture. This can cause the dryness and itching that affects many.
4. Even though summer heat is gone, make sure and still drink at least 6-8 glasses of liquid a day, especially in dry cold weather, to avoid dehydration. Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent dry skin problems.
Think about ways to stay firmly planted to avoid injuries:
1. To avoid slips and falls, wear boots that are non-skid.
2. If you use a cane, replace the rubber tip before it is worn smooth or it will become slippery, especially when it gets wet.
3. In preparing your cars for winter weather, get a tune up and your tires checked. Also, keep your gas tank near full and let family or friends know when you are traveling
Hope everyone has a safe and healthy winter!
For more information or if you have questions please call the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Green County at 608-328-9499 or toll free at 800-993-2040.
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