Warm banks open up in care homes 'to ease winter freeze' for over 65s

‘Warm banks’ for people aged 65+ have been opened by care home operator Excelcare to give older people “refuge from the cold” and the cost-of-living crisis this winter.

Excelcare, which operates 32 care homes in Essex, says its warm banks are free to attend for an age group who are “most likely to feel the harsh effects of the cold and rising energy costs”.

From 14 November until 31 March 2023, between the hours of 11am - 4pm, people aged 65+ can visit the group’s participating care homes to warm up and enjoy a hot drink.

The ‘warm banks’ will be in participating care homes’ communal areas – specifically lounges and dining rooms - to enable visitors to socialise with residents and care workers.

Helen Bennett, regional operations director of Excelcare homes in Essex, said: “It’s a pleasure to announce the opening of our warm banks in care homes across the region.

"Providing a safe space for people who are in need this winter is something we have been committed to doing and I am so happy to see this initiative come to life.”

The care provider, also added in a statement that ‘precautions are in place to ensure those who currently live and work in the homes remain safe and free from the spread of infection, so upon entry guests will be asked to sanitise their hands, complete a lateral flow test and wear a face mask for the duration of their visit’.

The completion of a lateral flow test will depend upon current guidance at the time of entry.

The care group hopes the new initiative will also give “some welcome company to elderly members of the community, especially those who live on their own or struggle with feelings of loneliness”.

“I encourage people over the age of 65 to make use of these warm banks and seek refuge in our comfortable homes surrounded by our caring teams”, Helen Bennett added.

click here for more details or to contact Excelcare