Four years ago the BBC did a story on the surprising number of deaths due to the cold. Their investigation revealed that over 23,000 elderly people in the UK died because of cold weather in 2005. The deaths were not attributed to true hypothermia, but rather prolonged exposure to colder weather.

Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, have been proven to raise the blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. That is why elderly people are warned repeatedly by newscasters when a heat wave approaches. Separate studies have found that the optimal room temperature is 20 degrees Celsius at all times.

What can elderly people do when they get too cold? They should contact the Warm Front Team immediately. Managed by Powergen Warm Front, the Team is a government-funded programme that provides financial assistance to people who need to improve their home heating or insulation. click here to find out more.

You don't have to be elderly to apply for assistance, of course, but you will receive more support if you are over the age of sixty. Home owners or apartment dwellers who are over 60 can receive up to £2500 to make necessary repairs and improvements.

Why do the elderly receive more? As we have seen, old people are at a much greater risk of stroke or heart attack when homes are not kept at consistent, comfortable temperatures.