Winter Planning Guide
The winter months can mean that many of us become more vulnerable to health problems. The colder weather can also make the possibility of falling or injury more likely. Whilst we can’t completely eliminate the added risks to our health during Winter, we can take some simple precautions to help. This guide aims to provide supportive practical advice, including some simple recipes.
Planning to stay healthy
Planning to stay healthy 1. Activity
Being active is important at any time of the year, but during the winter months it also has the added benefit of generating body heat. Being active can include things like taking a walk (if it is safe to do so), getting up to make a drink or even housework. Activity can be sociable and fun, where our care homes offer a wide range of daily, weekly and monthly activities, arranged with our resident’s input. These include our in-house fitness programme called Zest, which provides safe, fun and effective exercise for those who wish to participate. Please contact your nearest care home to find out more. 2. Food and drink We all know the importance of eating a balanced and nutritious diet, as well as drinking regularly. Eating and being well hydrated is especially vital during the colder weather. Aim to drink between six and eight glasses of water and other fluids each day, such as fruit squash, as well as hot drinks to keep warm. It can be difficult to buy fresh ingredients during the colder months, so ensure you keep plenty of tinned goods in your cupboards and food in the freezer too, just in case it becomes too cold to venture out. Consult your GP for further nutrition and hydration advice. We asked some of our fantastic care home Chef Managers and catering teams for their favourite winter recipes*, using ingredients that are easy to source. These are included on the following pages.
*Recipes may contain allergens. Please check the ingredients.
Planning to stay healthy
Easy Beef Hotpot Stretch a pack of mince to make this hearty dish. It’s perfect eaten straight from the bowl with a spoon and some crusty bread on a cold winter’s night Ingredients 2 onions 300g carrots 1kg potatoes 450g lean minced beef 2 beef stock cubes 400g can baked beans A splash of Worcestershire sauce A handful of roughly chopped parsley - optional Method 1. C ut each onion into eight wedges. Roughly chop the carrots and cut the potatoes into large chunks. Put the kettle on. 2. H eat a large non-stick pan, add the mince and fry quickly, stirring all the time, until evenly browned. Crumble in the stock cubes and mix well. Add the prepared vegetables, stir them around, then pour in 900ml/1½ pints of hot water from the kettle. Bring to the boil. 3. R educe the heat, cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the baked beans and a generous splash of Worcestershire sauce and heat through. Taste and add salt and pepper if necessary. 4. S catter over the parsley, then ladle the hotpot into bowls. Put the Worcestershire sauce bottle on the table in case anyone fancies a bit more spice.
Planning to stay healthy
Easy Chicken Noodle Soup This Easy Chicken Noodle Soup recipe is a winter soup, made with simple ingredients and stocked with nutrients for the cold season! Ingredients • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 onion chopped (keep outer layers)
• 3 large carrots sliced (keep outer peeled layers) • 3 celery stalks chopped (keep stems and leaves) • Salt and pepper to taste • 3 garlic cloves minced • 1 teaspoon dried oregano • 1 ½ lb chicken thighs • 1 bay leaf • Parsley for serving • Lemon juice for serving • 3/4 cup vermicelli or other pasta of choice Method
1. Place the scraps from the outer layers and ends of the onions, carrots and celery in a large stock pot. Add the chicken thighs on top along with a bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. Add 8-10 cups of water, bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until chicken is fork-tender and cooked, about 20 minutes. 2. R emove chicken and shred; set aside. Strain the chicken broth using a fine-mesh sieve and discard the vegetable scraps and bay leaf; set aside the broth. 3. H eat the olive oil in the same pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, celery and carrots to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables start to soften, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and oregano, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. 4. R eturn the shredded chicken and strained chicken broth to the pot. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 more minutes. Then add the vermicelli pasta and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 5 more minutes. 5. Stir in fresh parsley and lemon juice, if desired, and serve warm.
Planning to stay healthy
Salmon & Dill Fish Cakes
Ingredients • 800g skinless salmon fillet • 2 bay leaves • A small bunch of dill, stalks and fronds • Separated 500ml milk • 600g Maris Piper potato, peeled and chopped into even sized chunks • Zest of 1 lemon • 4 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 4tbsp of capers, rinsed and dried • Flour for dusting your hands • 1 egg, beaten • 100g breadcrumbs • 4 tbsp vegetable or sunflower oil • Lemon wedges and watercress to serve
Method 1. P oaching the salmon: Put the salmon in a frying pan with the bay leaves and dill stalks. Pour over enough milk to cover the fish (you may not need all the milk), bring to the boil, then lower heat to a gentle simmer and leave to poach for 4 mins. Turn off the heat, then leave the fish to continue cooking in the poaching liquid for 5 mins. Lift the salmon out with a fish slice onto a plate. Flake into large pieces with a fork, then leave to cool. 2. M aking and drying out the mash: Meanwhile, cook the potatoes in boiling salted water for about 10 mins, or until tender. Drain well, then leave to cool in a colander for 2 mins. Tip back into the pan and return to the hob on a low setting. Mash the potatoes, watching that the mash doesn’t catch at the bottom of the pan, for 2-3 mins – it should be dry and fluffy. Stir in lemon zest, mayonnaise, mustard, capers and some seasoning. 3. M ixing and shaping fish cakes: Pat away any liquid from the fish, then carefully lift the pieces into the pan with the mash. With your hands, gently mix together until roughly combined; it should take just a few movements, or the fish will break up. Dust hands and work surface with flour. Shape a handful of the mix into a patty-shaped cake, about 2.5cm thick. Repeat to make 8 cakes. 4. B read crumbing and frying: Dip the cakes into the egg, then press into the breadcrumbs all over. Heat half the oil in a frying pan until very hot. Fry four fish cakes for 5 mins each side until golden. Remove; keep warm. Repeat with the rest, or freeze. Serve with lemon wedges and watercress
Planning to stay healthy
Easy Millionaire’s Shortbread Ingredients For the shortbread
For the caramel 100g butter or margarine 100g light muscovado sugar 397g can condensed milk
For the topping 200g plain or milk chocolate, broken into pieces
250g plain flour 75g caster sugar 175g butter, softened
Method 1. H eat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly grease and line a 20-22cm square or rectangular baking tin with a lip of at least 3cm. 2. T o make the shortbread, mix 250g plain flour and 75g caster sugar in a bowl. Rub in 175g softened butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. 3. K nead the mixture together until it forms a dough, then press into the base of the prepared tin. Prick the shortbread lightly with a fork and bake for 20 minutes or until firm to the touch and very lightly browned. Leave to cool in the tin. 4. P rick the shortbread lightly with a fork and bake for 20 minutes or until firm to the touch and very lightly browned. Leave to cool in the tin. 5. T o make the caramel, place 100g butter or margarine, 100g light muscovado sugar and the can of condensed milk in a pan and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Continually stir with a spatula to make sure no sugar sticks to the bottom of the pan. (This can leave brown specks in the caramel but won’t affect the flavour.) 6. T urn up the heat to medium high, stirring all the time, and bring to the boil, then lower the heat back to low and stirring continuously, for about 5-10 minutes or until the mixture has thickened slightly. Pour over the shortbread and leave to cool. 7. F or the topping, melt 200g plain or milk chocolate slowly in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Pour over the cold caramel and leave to set. Cut into squares or bars with a hot knife.
Planning to stay healthy
3. Healthcare Always make sure you get a free flu jab, covid booster and any other vaccinations from your local GP before the winter period. Flu is a very unpleasant illness and can develop into something much more serious, such as pneumonia. You should also check that you have had your pneumo (pneumococcal) jab, as this will help protect you against pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia. Ask your GP if you are unsure. 4. Hand hygiene Germs and bacteria that can cause illness are often transmitted via our hands. Make sure you wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds and use an antibacterial gel if you can. Keeping surfaces that are in regular contact with our hands clean, such as kitchen surfaces and door handles, is also a great way of stopping germs from spreading. 5. Mental Wellbeing Staying healthy is not just about keeping your body healthy but also your mind. It is not uncommon to experience periods of low mood in winter, as the days become shorter and there is less opportunity to chat with loved ones or pop to the shops. To overcome this, try and do something you enjoy every day. It may be a hobby or chatting to family or friends on the phone. Ask friends and family who are more mobile to come and visit you. If you feel low for a while, please speak to your GP.
4
Planning to keep warm
Planning to keep warm 1. Keeping yourself warm
• Wearing several thinner layers of clothing is more effective than wearing just one thicker layer, as warm air is trapped between each layer. Always go for fabrics such as wool or fleecy fibres rather than cotton, which is not as good at insulating. Thermal underwear, thick tights or woolly socks are also great base layers to keep you snug and warm. • A hot water bottle retains heat and will keep your hands and body warm for longer. You can also use wheat bags. Make sure you follow the safety instructions; don’t use boiling water, make sure the top is not leaking and don’t place directly on your skin. • Electric blankets are an excellent method of warming up your bed before you get in. Make sure you check whether the electric blanket can be left on all night as many should only be used for warming the bed. Never use an electric blanket and hot water bottle together as this is very dangerous. • Continence difficulties can have a huge impact on moderating your body temperature during the cold weather so make sure you see your GP if this affects you. 2. Keeping your home warm • Closing your curtains at dusk will help keep the heat in, particularly if you are able to fit thermal linings into your curtains. • Keep your windows closed, especially at night when the weather is at its coldest. Breathing in cold air increases the risk of developing chest infections. Keep your doors closed too as this will warm the rooms quicker and help maintain the right temperature, making it more cost efficient. • Draught excluders on your doors and windows as well as insulation in walls and your loft are excellent ways to keep your home warmer and your energy bills lower. There may be financial assistance available to help you do this. • Remember, optimum temperature for your main living room is 21°C (70°F) and 18°C (64°F) for your bedroom.
• People aged over 65 years are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment to assist with the increased cost of utilities in the colder weather. If you do not receive this or need more information, please visit www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment or call 0800 731 0160 . Simple Energy Advice is a government endorsed service offering independent and impartial advice on making your home warmer, more environmentally friendly and cutting energy bills. Simple Energy Advice can be contacted on 0800 444 202 or at www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/
6
Planning to stay safe
Planning to stay safe 1. Safety at home • Make sure your heating system and boiler are serviced every year by a qualified gas heating engineer. • Check your smoke alarms are working by testing them weekly. If you contact your local fire station, they should be able to come out and risk-assess your home. • Keep your mobile phone and other devices charged so you can still use them if there is a power cut. • Keep a list of emergency contact numbers handy so you can access them easily and quickly. • Keep a torch handy in case of a power cut and make sure you have some spare batteries. • Never block air vents as fires and heaters need ventilation. • Use a fire guard if you have an open fire and never hang washing or anything else that could be flammable near it. 2. Safety when out of home • Always wear appropriate clothing for the condition. Boots and warm clothing are ideal for the cold weather. • Keep grit or salt at home so you can spread on steps and paths in icy weather. • If your mobility is compromised, then consider getting a grab rail installed at your door. Your local council will be able to help with external and internal home adaptations if you find these are required. • If you are driving be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive or return home. • Make sure your mobile is fully charged before leaving the house.
4
Short breaks and long-term care with Anchor
Short breaks and permanent care with Anchor Our care homes are welcoming new residents. As well as long term residential and residential dementia care, many of our care homes are able to offer short breaks or respite care throughout the year. This can support someone’s health after an illness, an operation or can enable a carer to go on holiday, with the peace of mind their loved one is being looked after. Our care is person-centred and tailored to each individual living in our care homes; with a complete support package including all care needs, laundry and housekeeping services, full assistance with medication, as well as delicious home cooked meals and a daily, weekly and monthly activity programme created with our resident’s input. We welcome visitors and also support couples moving into care to stay together, wherever possible. Our Home Managers and care colleagues will be happy to discuss all aspects of our care in detail and answer any questions you may have, to make sure you and your loved ones know exactly what to expect and feel confident in choosing an Anchor care home.
Anchor is England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for older people, with more than 60 years of experience. For more information on planning for winter, or to find out more about Anchor care, please visit www.anchor.org.uk/care-homes or call us on 0800 731 2020 .
Anchor Hanover Group is a charitable housing association with registered society No 7843. Registered Provider No. LH4095. Registered office: Anchor Hanover Group, Suites A & B, The Heal’s Building, 22-24 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HJ.
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting