The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October 2026, and from then on it will be dark by late afternoon. For older people living at home, that change can mean more time indoors, more moving around in low light and fewer chances to see friends and family. If your parent or grandparent lives alone, a few small checks now can make the darker months safer and more comfortable.
At Avant Homecare, our carers support older people across London, Surrey and Buckinghamshire to keep living well in their own homes. These are the steps we suggest families take this autumn.
1. Brighten the routes they use most
Low light makes trips more likely, especially on stairs, landings and the walk from bed to bathroom at night. Visit at dusk if you can and notice where it is hard to see.
- Fit brighter bulbs on stairs and in hallways.
- Add plug-in night lights between the bedroom and bathroom.
- Put a lamp or touch light within easy reach of the bed and their favourite chair.
- Clear loose rugs, trailing wires and clutter from the main walkways.
The NHS also advises wearing shoes or slippers that fit well, do not slip off and have a good grip. Autumn is a good time to replace a worn pair.
2. Keep the rooms they use warm
Cooler evenings can creep up before anyone thinks to turn the heating on. The NHS recommends heating the rooms you use regularly, such as the living room and bedroom, to at least 18°C if you can, and keeping bedroom windows closed at night.
Check the heating works properly before the first cold snap, and make sure gas appliances have been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer. A warm blanket and a hot drink within reach can make a long evening far more comfortable.
3. Plan for a fall, not just how to prevent one
Even with a safer home, falls can still happen. The NHS suggests wearing a personal alarm or keeping a mobile phone close by, using a non-slip mat in the bath or shower and fitting grab rails where they help.
Talk through what your relative would do if they fell in the evening, and make sure their phone is charged and with them, not left in another room. If they have had a fall or feel unsteady, encourage them to speak to their GP, who may refer them to a specialist falls service. A GP or pharmacist can also check whether any medicines are affecting their balance.
Your local council can carry out a free care needs assessment to look at what help they might need, including changes to make the home safer.
4. Stay in touch when the days are short
Darker evenings and colder weather can stop people going out, and the hours after sunset can feel long when you live alone. A regular phone or video call at the same time each evening gives your relative something to look forward to and gives you a simple way to check they are well.
The NHS encourages families to keep in touch with older relatives over the colder months, make sure they have enough food in for a few days and collect prescriptions before bad weather. Companionship matters too, and we have written about how live-in care can help reduce loneliness for people who would benefit from having someone close by.
A quick checklist for this week
- Walk through the home at dusk and fix any dark spots.
- Fit night lights from the bedroom to the bathroom.
- Remove loose rugs, wires and other trip hazards.
- Check the heating and aim for at least 18°C in the main rooms.
- Keep a phone or personal alarm within reach every evening.
- If they are 65 or over, help them book their free NHS flu vaccine.
- Agree a regular evening call.
When extra support would help
Families cannot always be there every evening. Our home care visits can cover the parts of the day that feel hardest, from an early evening check-in and help with dinner to a safe, unhurried bedtime routine. We also offer care for older people and live-in care for those who need more support.
If you would like to talk through the right support for your relative this winter, contact your local Avant Homecare team or call 0203 805 0610.
