The Ofgem energy price cap rose again from October, up 4% to around £1,723 a year for a typical household. For many older people on fixed incomes, a rise like that lands heavily — and one of the quiet consequences is that some will try to save money by keeping the heating off or turning it down low, even when the house is genuinely too cold. For families living at a distance, it's a worry that's hard to keep an eye on. This is one of the practical, everyday ways a companion can help.
Why a cold home can go unnoticed
An older person who has lived through frugal times may be reluctant to 'waste' money on heating, and won't necessarily mention it. They may also simply not feel the cold as sharply as they once did, which makes an under-heated home easy to miss — both for them and for family who only phone rather than visit. A weekly phone call rarely picks up that the living room is chilly or that the heating hasn't been on. Someone sitting in the room does.
What a companion notices and gently helps with
A companion isn't there to manage someone's health — but by being present regularly, they naturally notice the ordinary things that matter and can lend a hand:
- Whether the home feels warm enough, and gently encouraging the heating to go on when it's genuinely cold
- Whether the person is dressed warmly and comfortable, with blankets and warm layers to hand
- Practical comfort — making a hot drink, drawing the curtains as the evenings draw in, keeping a warm room welcoming
- Reminding and helping a person look into support they may be entitled to, such as the Warm Home Discount or other help with bills
- Flagging to family if the home seems consistently cold, so they can step in
Where companionship ends and care begins
It's important to be clear about the limits. A companion offers warm company and a watchful, friendly presence — not personal or medical care. We don't assess anyone's health, we don't provide personal care such as help with washing or medication, and we aren't regulated by the Care Quality Commission, because those regulated activities aren't part of companion care. What a companion does is human and simple: notice that a room is cold, encourage warmth, make someone comfortable, and tell the family if something doesn't seem right. If a person's needs go beyond that, we'd always point the family toward the right regulated service.
"A companion can't manage someone's health — but they can notice a cold house, make a warm drink, and ring the family. Sometimes that's exactly what's needed."
Peace of mind through a dear winter
With bills higher again, this is a winter where a regular, friendly presence does real good — not by doing anything clinical, but by making sure an older relative is warm, comfortable and not quietly going without. If you're concerned about a parent or relative in Derby or Derbyshire keeping warm this winter, a weekly companion visit is a gentle, practical way to keep an eye on things and keep them company.
Worried about someone keeping warm this winter?
A weekly companion visit means a friendly face checking in, keeping company and keeping you informed. Covering Derby and Derbyshire.
Published by Kirk Group Editorial
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