Correct temperature for an elderly person.

My aunt's house was the same. It was very old and very draughty with inefficient storage heaters. She survived well into her 80s - in a care home.

Age UK reckons 21deg C in the living room. I suppose if you are not very mobile it is particularly important to keepa warm room.

So many old people still have those wretched storage heaters - I know my parents did and their energy bills were astronomical, but they had had them installed as a "cheaper" alternative to central heating as Dad couldn't face the upheaval (he said) of floorboards coming up etc

Good heavens, gracesmum, I thought those things had been consigned to the dustbin of the 20th Century! My parents had them in the early 60s but saw sense when they retired.

Spoke to my aunt today, she is 88, to check she was OK re snow..not sure what I could do if she was not, except to phone her neighbour, as I am not that local to her! I did check she was feeling warm and drinking hot drinks regularly. She assured me she was and had her fleece over her knees. She had been out on the bus on Thursday to do some shopping and had good food reserves in her store cupboard/fridge. Hope she stays warm.

My 79 yr old FIL plays us a bit if you call on the weekend the house is warm and toastie but when I call mid week (he is never sure when I am calling) the house feels chilly and he is walking around in a T shirt, he argues he was a plumber all his working life and is used to working outside and does not feel the cold.
I generally turn the stat up a few degrees when I pass, not sure when he finds I have been fiddling but it gives the house chance to warm up.

Hi Everyone

Thanks for your answers.
I did phone Age UK and they said the general guide temperature is 21.
They did say that there is no health risk at 18 degrees centigrade but she may feel a little cold.
She has spent most of her life around Aberdeen and worked outdoors a lot and she seems perfectly ok at 18.
Her house has double glazing which was installed in 2008, it also has loft and wall insulation and she had most of the central heating replaced in 2010 and she has her gas fire and boiler serviced every year.
Age UK had said they will send a thermometer through but they have said do not press the issue as people are not all the same.
Oddly enough I phoned her this morning and she did not answer but she called back about 2 minutes later.
This has happened before and she said she was cleaning the shower and did not want to jump up at the time which is good and it shows she is active and not just sitting around.
I think it is good she has an answerphone and she pays for unlimited phone calls so she does not have to worry about her phone bill and she is not jumping up to save money.
She has also said when the snow is gone she would like to join my dog and myself on some walks.

Frank