Winter at home, not in a home

As the colder months approach, older adults in the UK face significantly-heightened risks of hospitalisation and delayed care.

According to Age UK, between 2021-2022 there were 223,101 hospital admissions for falls among people aged 65 and over, with 146,934 of those aged 80 and over.

A recent briefing from the British Geriatrics Society also notes that older people account for around 40 % of all hospital admissions and 62 % of bed‑days – pressures which intensify in the colder months when respiratory illness, icy conditions, and cold‑weather injuries peak. 

Compounding these risks is the strain on the social care and community services which enable older people to stay living safely at home.

These dynamics mean that, for many families, the winter season can become the tipping point when home care becomes unmanageable and placement in a care home is seen as the only safe option.

But Noble Live-In Care, part of the CCH Group, the UK’s largest home care provider, said many families of older adults are unaware that live-in care is an option – a gap that becomes particularly critical during winter.

Kirsty Prendiville Lawes, operations manager at Noble Live-In Care, explains: “Families are not consistently told that 24-hour support at home exists, especially at times of year when risks are higher, like in the winter months.

“Cold weather, icy paths, shorter days, and seasonal illnesses can make caring for someone at home feel particularly daunting.

“For people with dementia, staying in familiar surroundings can reduce agitation, support memory cues, and help maintain independence even during the winter.

“Live-in care offers personalised routines, community connection, and the flexibility to adapt as needs change, providing reassurance when families face the added pressures of the colder months.

“It isn’t the right answer for everyone, but the key issue is awareness.

“People deserve to know all their options, so decisions are made based on preference, dignity, and the life someone wants to live, not just on what they are told in a moment of seasonal crisis.”

She adds: “Knowing about live-in care ahead of winter is critical.

“It allows families to plan pro-actively, avoid crisis-driven decisions, and ensure their loved ones remain safe, comfortable, and independent in familiar surroundings.”