Winter is tougher for older people, here’s how Homeshare can help..

As the days get shorter and temperatures drop, winter can feel cosy for some, but for many older people, it’s the hardest time of year.

Cold homes, higher energy bills, icy pavements and long dark evenings all add up. On top of that, many older people spend more time alone in winter, which can have a real impact on both physical and mental health.

At Two Generations, we see every day how a good Homeshare match can make winter feel warmer, safer and less lonely for older householders, their families, and even their employers.

 

Why winter hits older people harder

UK data has long shown that more people die in winter than in the warmer months, and older adults are especially affected. A recent government report estimated 10,890 excess deaths in England in 2023 – about 2% higher than expected based on recent trends, with older age groups making up a large share of this. (1)

Cold weather makes existing health conditions harder to manage and increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and respiratory infections. When you add in the worry of bills, it’s easy to see why winter is such a challenging season.

Cold homes and the cost of living

Energy prices may have stabilised a little, but they’re still a huge worry for many older people.

Age UK estimates that 1.9 million older households in the UK will be living in fuel poverty across 2024, around one in six older households. (2)

More recent research found that:

  • Nearly 8 million older people in the UK were concerned about the upcoming winter

  • 40% of older people are worried they won’t be able to heat their home enough (3)

Behind those numbers are real people choosing between turning the heating on, cutting back on food, or dipping into savings they don’t really have.

Loneliness in the darker months

Winter isn’t just colder, it’s lonelier.

Age UK estimates there are around 1.4 million chronically lonely older people in England. (4)

Their new loneliness report paints an even sharper picture:

  • 7% of people aged 65+, the equivalent of 940,000 older people, are often lonely

  • Around 270,000 older people in England go a whole week without speaking to a friend or family member (5)

Shorter days, bad weather and reduced mobility mean many older people are stuck indoors more, seeing fewer people and losing the routine contact that keeps us feeling connected.

Where Two Generations Homeshare fits in

Two Generations Homeshare matches an older Householder (with a spare room and a need for company or light help) with a carefully vetted Sharer (often a student, professional or key worker who needs affordable accommodation and wants to make a difference).

A Sharer is not a carer, but in winter, the impact of low-level help and companionship can be huge.

1. A warmer, safer home

A Homeshare match can help by:

  • Contributing to household bills, making it a bit easier to keep the heating on

  • Providing another pair of eyes and ears in the home, noticing if it’s unusually cold, if something’s not working, or if there are hazards like wet paths or icy steps

  • Offering reassurance in the evenings and overnight so older people (and their families) don’t feel they’re facing winter alone

2. Everyday companionship

Dark evenings feel very different when there’s someone else in the house.

Homeshare builds regular social contact into daily life: shared meals, chats over TV, help with technology, and planning Christmas or winter treats together. For many of our matches, what begins as a practical arrangement becomes a real intergenerational friendship.

This kind of day-to-day connection is exactly what so many lonely older people are missing.

3. Support for family carers and employers

Many older householders also have adult children juggling work, children and caring responsibilities.

Knowing there’s a trusted Sharer living with mum or dad can:

  • Reduce last minute emergencies and panicked phone calls

  • Ease the constant worry about whether they’re warm, safe and coping

  • Help working carers stay in their jobs, with fewer unplanned absences and more ability to focus

For employers, encouraging solutions like Homeshare can form part of a practical eldercare strategy, supporting retention, wellbeing and productivity for staff who are caring for older relatives.

Talking to an older relative about Homeshare this winter

If you’re worried about how an older family member will cope over winter, it can help to:

  1. Start with how they’re feeling
    Ask open questions about cold, bills, getting out, and being on their own.

  2. Be honest about your limits
    Let them know you want to help, but can’t be there all the time.

  3. Present Homeshare as a way to stay independent
    Emphasise that it’s about company, safety and sharing a home, not about “giving up” their independence.

  4. Reassure them about safety and support
    Explain the vetting, safeguarding and ongoing support Two Generations provides throughout the match.

A small idea that makes a big difference in winter

We can’t control the weather or energy prices, but we can change what winter feels like for older people.

Homeshare turns an empty spare room into:

  • Extra reassurance for an older person

  • Genuine companionship in the darker months

  • Practical support for families and employers trying to juggle work and care

If you’d like to find out how Two Generations Homeshare could help someone you know this winter, you can learn more and get in touch.

References

  1. Excess mortality in England 2023, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities  “Excess mortality within England 2023 data: statistical commentary”:
    https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/excess-mortality-within-england-post-pandemic-method/excess-mortality-within-england-2023-data-statistical-commentary

  2. Age UK  “Energy crisis is still causing misery for the poorest pensioners says Age UK”:
    https://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-press/articles/2024/energy-crisis-is-still-causing-misery-for-the-poorest-pensioners-says-age-uk/

  3. Age UK  “Supporting older people to stay well this winter”:
    https://www.ageuk.org.uk/discover/2025/october/supporting-older-people-to-stay-well-this-winter/

  4. Age UK  “Loneliness research and resources”:
    https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/policy-research/loneliness-research-and-resources/

  5. Age UK –“Age UK’s new report shows you are not alone in feeling lonely”:
    https://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-press/articles/age-uks-new-report-shows-you-are-not-alone-in-feeling-lonely/