Someone should start a company that checks on elderly folks

Sounds

Just thinking how cold I have been the past few weeks and I'm not elderly yet.
I'm just a perisher, hate to think about my mom sleeping in a freezing cold room.
But until they get their heating fixed, a fire is the only way to heat a single room.

I think anyone should be able to get out of bed any time in their own home and feel warm, but I guess that's not the case for some.
There should be some kind of group that checks on people to make sure they are warm enough and getting proper meals.
A lot of people suffer in silence, and others don't have the means to go out and buy food or whatever.
Some people won;t answer the door, they should have mobile phones at the least so someone can at least send them a text to see if they're ok.

Just a thought, well I know people do try help, but anyway..

Sheep Lover

What would the provided equipment be like? A stick to prod the bodies to see if their still alive?

I suppose a tip would consist of pilfering any dead old fogies you find. A "finders,keepers" policy, if you like.

RobYourBuilder

There should be some kind of group that checks on people to make sure they are warm enough and getting proper meals.

The HSE/ Meals on wheels already do this, no?

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/LHO/DubNCentral/Older_People_Services/

SEPT 23 1989

www.alone.ie

Sounds

Well I don't mean care homes, a lot of folks want to live at home, as long as they can care for themselves.
But in general, I don't just mean elderly folks, anyone that might need some help, some people don't get any, some don't have phones.
I'd never want to make a person feel old or helpless, I'd put it to them in a way that they know services are available for everyone.
There shouldn't be even any homeless people in this day and age, but some folks cut themselves off from society, I find that sad.

The Backwards Man

There already is one, it's run by the HSE, one of the things they run pretty well actually.

It's called the Home Help Service.

JohnBee

Sounds wrote: »

I'm just a perisher, hate to think about my mom sleeping in a freezing cold room.


There should be some kind of group that checks on people to make sure they are warm enough and getting proper meals.

There is such a company in existence already. It has been in existence since the evolution of intelligent life. It is free, doesn't require a government, non-government or charitable organisation. It's called family. However as highlighted by your post, which suggests you expect someone else to look after your mother, unfortunately this particular company called "family" often forgets about its clients. I have the very unpleasant experience working in the health service, of dealing with elderly people with plenty of family, but none who actually care enough to check on their own parents.

Zippie84

As mentioned above www.alone.ie

'ALONE’s Befriending Service provides companionship for isolated older people. Loneliness is a serious health risk and a volunteer visit of just one hour a week can make a huge difference. Volunteers can support older people to get out and about, help with day to day tasks, or have a chat over a cup of tea at home.

And then there's Friends of the Elderly http://www.friendsoftheelderly.ie/

'We now have 400 volunteers visiting elderly people in their homes or in nursing homes or hospital. Elderly people are referred to us by social workers, GPs, community nurses, concerned neighbours or relatives. We do our best find a volunteer in the area with a view to developing a close and sincere friendship.'

PizzamanIRL

There are already people who check on the elderly. Unfortunately they have wrong interests in mind.

Sounds

It has nothing to do with my family, we're close, the situation just made me think about other people that are less fortunate.
I know there's services available but some people can't ask for help, what can yo do, it's just sad to think.

JohnBee

Sounds wrote: »

It has nothing to do with my family, we're close, the situation just made me think about other people that are less fortunate.
I know there's services available but some people can't ask for help, what can yo do, it's just sad to think.

I recognize that you may not have been referring to your family. However your post illustrates the Irish mindset. Immigrants to Ireland are often fascinated by modern Irish attitudes to elderly parents. In many other countries, it is the standard that children look after their parents when they become elderly and infirm. Not so here in Ireland. While it used to be commonplace for elderly relatives to be looked after by children (we even had a great aunt live with us until her death when I was younger), it has all changed. Those who are truly isolated are the minority. The usual reason for isolation now is that the attitude has seeped in that government or others should do the checking.

Zippie84

Also, do you guys know about The Third Age, Senior Helpline?

Senior Help Line is a confidential listening service for older people by trained older volunteers for the price of a local call anywhere in Ireland, LoCall 1850 440 444.

http://www.thirdageireland.ie/what-we-do/57/senior-help-line/

I think it's similar to Silverline which we have in the UK, although it is 24/7. Good to know such services exist, but there's often not enough done to promote them.

Roadtoad

As well as FAMILY, the other club hereabouts is called NEIGHBORS.

Sounds

Seems the right way John, our family is lucky that sense, we're closely knit.
I see people every morning in shops, on the street, young and old, I even knew some of them in school 20+ years ago,
Kind of wandering around, some from homes, they don't have anybody... whatever the case may be, people suffer in silence.

That's just what I'm saying, at least there's some good info in the thread.

DBIreland

An elderly family member lives alone in the States, he avails of a service that dials his landline twice a day and if he fails to answer they send someone with a key around to check on him. If he is planning on being out etc he just lets them know. It gives the family back here piece of mind that someone is checking on him every so often.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

OP there are such groups already. In my county there is a group that phones old people every morning to check how they are, have a chat and to just be a contact if they need anything. Other groups visit elderly people regularly as well.

I'm in my 70s but don't need any such assistance just yet but I'm happy to know it's out there.

Edit: All the above are free BTW.

El Weirdo

Roadtoad wrote: »

... the other club hereabouts is called NEIGHBORS.

I think they only operate in America.

Sounds

Sounds wrote: »

Just thinking how cold I have been the past few weeks and I'm not elderly yet.
I'm just a perisher, hate to think about my mom sleeping in a freezing cold room.
But until they get their heating fixed, a fire is the only way to heat a single room.

I think anyone should be able to get out of bed any time in their own home and feel warm, but I guess that's not the case for some.
There should be some kind of group that checks on people to make sure they are warm enough and getting proper meals.
A lot of people suffer in silence, and others don't have the means to go out and buy food or whatever.
Some people won;t answer the door, they should have mobile phones at the least so someone can at least send them a text to see if they're ok.

Just a thought, well I know people do try help, but anyway..

As someone (who has lived abroad) and with elderly parents here in Ireland, I have to say that this country is not a bad place to be old in.

The HSE home help service is excellent (my parents are grateful recipients of this service) The state pension is not bad (and a lot of people have other pensions to supplement) There is I believe a telephone allowance, a free TV licence, free travel, and most neighbors are watchful and considerate.

I lived in Chicago where they decided back in 2005 or thereabouts to give seniors free travel on downtown Chicago buses. There was such an outcry from the public about giving this perk to an already quite well off sector of the population, that the city promptly reversed the decision.

So yes I agree we are not as good as some cultures in cherishing our elderly, but we are by far not the worst society to grow old in.

loobylou

http://www.homelinkbray-supporting-older-people.com/

Matta Harri

Good idea OP. The HSE service is crimally understaffed and Home Helps generally only go where personal care is required. It's getting harder and harder to qualify for hours from the HSE.

There are agencies that provide such a service but they can be quite expensive, up on €20 per hour. Some community employment schemes employ people as community carers but the criteria is strick and it can't be depended on.

It certainly could keep older people at home longer and give reassurance to their families if they're away.

SEPT 23 1989

The elderly today are living in a golden age

anyone under 40 can only dream of the benefits todays penioners have upon retirement

its another ponsi scheme ready to burst

Gummy Panda

I heard the Soylent Corporation already does this

Venus In Furs

Do you check voluntarily on elderly people OP?

Sounds

Not just senior citizens, anyone that might need a hand.
All good though *thumbs up*
No i haven't checked, my time is limited.
Not to say I wouldn't help someone out.

I'm interested in technologies that gives communities peace of mind, but that's another subject.

professore

JohnBee wrote: »

There is such a company in existence already. It has been in existence since the evolution of intelligent life. It is free, doesn't require a government, non-government or charitable organisation. It's called family. However as highlighted by your post, which suggests you expect someone else to look after your mother, unfortunately this particular company called "family" often forgets about its clients. I have the very unpleasant experience working in the health service, of dealing with elderly people with plenty of family, but none who actually care enough to check on their own parents.

That's all well and good if you live in the same town as your parents. On the other hand if you are like me, with a young family to support and living 3 hours drive away from your elderly mum, you can't be in 2 places at once. She won't move, and I can't, unless I pack in my business, leave my wife and kids and claim social welfare to be with her in her own home.

Tomorrow I'm going to be driving 5 hours and losing a day's income to take her to a medical appointment. I've lost several weeks of work due to her health issues and previous to that my Dad was ill before passing away, all in all a very stressful time. Don't get me wrong, I don't regret any of it for a second, and I'm not looking for a medal.

There are some that forget their family for sure - but the pressures of modern life means it's not that simple.

Also in my experience, there is almost nothing in terms of home help where my mum lives (Laois), unless you are totally incapacitated. She had 2 hip replacements recently, and could have done with it. Luckily she has fantastic neighbours and my brother lives closer to her than i do - still 1/2 an hour drive, but still not an ideal situation.