Pensioner who died in Cork lay undiscovered for seven months

Graces7

see
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/appeal-for-neighbours-to-be-vigilant-after-pensioner-who-died-in-cork-lay-undiscovered-for-seven-months-938595.html

There are no words.

Leg End Reject

Article states he kept to himself so not that surprising. It's unfortunate and sad to read about, but it's not uncommon.

He might have preferred that to the proposed support network calling unsolicited to elderly people living alone.

Trigger Happy

Yeah, I agree. His living under the radar was probably down to his own choices over his life. Some people just dont like people.

Strumms

He may have been a reclusive character, reluctant to engage with neighbors etc, that’s grand but if I’m that neighbor and haven’t seen the guy in a few days and you are used to see him checking his mailbox, going for a walk, to the shops, for a drink etc... I’d say fûck it, knock on his door, he might just answer, might even tell you to get lost but hey, he’s ok, you could even just open a line of communication...”hey if you need anything give me a knock”...

freshpopcorn

I don't know about this case so I won't comment on it.

However I have seen elderly people becomes isolated and left alone over the years.
The popular answer is the youth of Today don't care about the elderly and only care about social media.
However in my experience these people.
Treated the district nurse terribly and were often abusive and the same with home helps.
Same with neighbors always calling the Gardai over the kids out on the green with a ball or the tiniest bit of noise.
Some one new moves in and tries to help them out around the house/shpping or garden. They get accused of only doing it for there money or trying to steal something.
I even heard of a man doing a task for a neighbour for free. He was a trades man and she reported him to his work place for doing it and he got a warning over it.
Then there are those who are abusive to their family and they eventually have enough of them.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

It's never easy to get a full picture in these cases. Some people need, and like, company or people calling to them. Others prefer to be left alone, and some can be downright aggressive towards anybody who calls on them. This is yet another sad story but, as I said, we don't know the full story.

freshpopcorn

Strumms wrote: »

He may have been a reclusive character, reluctant to engage with neighbors etc, that’s grand but if I’m that neighbor and haven’t seen the guy in a few days and you are used to see him checking his mailbox, going for a walk, to the shops, for a drink etc... I’d say fûck it, knock on his door, he might just answer, might even tell you to get lost but hey, he’s ok, you could even just open a line of communication...”hey if you need anything give me a knock”...

I know people who were great people and tried to help people out. They'd do anything for anybody and expect nothing in return.
However they asked a neigbhour did they need something from the shops/etc.
They were reported help the elderly/Gardai.

Snotty

If in the same situation, I could definitely see myself cutting all ties with the outside world and not having any contact when I'm older, which is fine as I'm just a narky old bugger and it wouldn't bother me.
Then there's other people who are alone but not by choice and would want company if anyone would reachout to them, much sadder that this cohort exists.

freshpopcorn

Snotty wrote: »

If in the same situation, I could definitely see myself cutting all ties with the outside world and not having any contact when I'm older, which is fine as I'm just a narky old bugger and it wouldn't bother me.
Then there's other people who are alone but not by choice and would want company if anyone would reachout to them, much sadder that this cohort exists.

I may be wrong now but in my area the elderly all nearly have access to home helps/day care/meals on wheels/etc.
The one's who I know who are lonely refuses contact with all these things/services.

gctest50

freshpopcorn wrote: »

..........

The one's who I know who are lonely refuses contact with all these things/services.

They may not be actually lonely though, might have friends that are not local

freshpopcorn

gctest50 wrote: »

They may not be actually lonely though, might have friends that are not local

Sorry I should have pointed out they are lonely.
They'd ring the radio station to say it or something similar.
I might just know or have known a few stubborn one's.
One man used throw the meals on wheels dinner at the person delivering it and then he's ring the local radio station to say he was a poor hungry man.

_blaaz

Theres an ould lad isolated like this near where my folks live....my da rings him in morning to make sure he ok etc(he was sick few months ago)...if he in bad form etc,he just sends a text back to let know he still alive

And everyone leaves it at that....no need for overly instrusive home help etc,but no need for someone to lie dead for 7 months unnoticed either

CrabRevolution

Barring the few exceptions, most people I know of whose death would probably go unnoticed for months have made it their business to be lonely.

In the thread on Thomas Reid there was lots of sentiment along the lines of "What people need to realise is that there's people out there who just don't want to be bothered and are happy to let the world pass them by. Don't force yourself upon them, or it's only fair they'll get cranky and annoyed". This is all well and good but if you take it to the extreme like some people do, it's hardly surprising that nobody notices when they're dead.....

Dubl07

Whatever the circumstances and disposition of this old man, to lie like that for seven months is a reflection on all of us, including the deceased, but hardly fair to tell Grace that her cats will eat her!

dudara

Moved from AH > CA

Strumms

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I know people who were great people and tried to help people out. They'd do anything for anybody and expect nothing in return.
However they asked a neigbhour did they need something from the shops/etc.
They were reported help the elderly/Gardai.

So be it, you don’t ask them again, but that kind of weirdness would be in the 000.1 %

FFred

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

At least your cats will eat you Graces7

I don’t know whether to thank this, report it or put in one of your much-loved Father Ted references :eek:

Yikes.

Tasfasdf

Dubl07 wrote: »

Whatever the circumstances and disposition of this old man, to lie like that for seven months is a reflection on all of us, including the deceased, but hardly fair to tell Grace that her cats will eat her!

No, not really.

Graces7

Dubl07 wrote: »

Whatever the circumstances and disposition of this old man, to lie like that for seven months is a reflection on all of us, including the deceased, but hardly fair to tell Grace that her cats will eat her!

Many thanks but sadly I am accustomed to this kind of ..... in AH and sadly here in CA now.

I did hope for more caring frankly for others. Maybe for some ideas re how old folk can keep safe and have access to help in need. rather than be judged as
here.

As some have said, a small check and a kind word costs nothing. and may save an old one from danger .

Anyone who is not appalled at an old man lying dead for seven months?

One day you will all be old....

Graces7

Tasfasdf wrote: »

No, not really.

Please explain. Thank you.

Graces7

_blaaz wrote: »

Theres an ould lad isolated like this near where my folks live....my da rings him in morning to make sure he ok etc(he was sick few months ago)...if he in bad form etc,he just sends a text back to let know he still alive

And everyone leaves it at that....no need for overly instrusive home help etc,but no need for someone to lie dead for 7 months unnoticed either

Perfect. And that will mean so very much to him,

I know my neighbours here and we quietly make sure they are OK. Respecting their privacy as all of us do in such a small community. They do the same for me. unobtrusively.. If I omit to take post in, they check the next delivery. I call home almost every day and if home does not hear for 2 days they have a number to call next door.

It can be done caringly and respectfully.

Graces7

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I don't know about this case so I won't comment on it.

However I have seen elderly people becomes isolated and left alone over the years.
The popular answer is the youth of Today don't care about the elderly and only care about social media.
However in my experience these people.
Treated the district nurse terribly and were often abusive and the same with home helps.
Same with neighbors always calling the Gardai over the kids out on the green with a ball or the tiniest bit of noise.
Some one new moves in and tries to help them out around the house/shpping or garden. They get accused of only doing it for there money or trying to steal something.
I even heard of a man doing a task for a neighbour for free. He was a trades man and she reported him to his work place for doing it and he got a warning over it.
Then there are those who are abusive to their family and they eventually have enough of them.

If these agencies arrived without being asked small wonder they got no welcome. We who are old need to keep choices open and retain our privacy. Not having strangers pushing in!

There is a difference between that and keeping a weather eye on elderly neighbours. As folk here do for me and I for them.

Also what help for old folk who have some form of dementia and confusion? Or mental illness?

Whatever, letting a dead one lie for seven months with no one noticing is a terrible reflection on all of us.

Graces7

FFred wrote: »

I don’t know whether to thank this, report it or put in one of your much-loved Father Ted references :eek:

Yikes.

lol.. In case you don;t know this came up in a previous thread and like others I did say my cats are welcome to my dead flesh

BUT in this context, poor taste?

gman2k

Graces7 wrote:

There are no words.

There are many words, as this is a discussion forum, not Facebook.
What next - "I can't even"?

Anyways, in urban areas, it's very easy for the elderly to disappear into the background and be forgotten, not so much in rural areas as they tend to go to the local shop only for food.
I knew a man who lived on his own up a cul-de-sac and was a bit of a recluse. He wasn't a nice person, and those who did try to help got terrible abuse from him.
There is a reason why neighbors want to avoid these people sometimes.

Omackeral

Graces7 wrote: »

Please explain. Thank you.

Someone said the fact the poor gent was left there is a reflection on all of us. The poster you're quoting disagrees. How is someone dying in Cork a reflection on someone in Donegal, for example? It was a pretty sweeping statement and sounds good but what does it mean?

There are plenty of us that look after our elderly neighbours. My next door neighbour is a saint, he cooks supper for our 92 year old neighbour from across the street every day. There was a power outage the other afternoon and I went over to make sure the older man was all good and explained what was going onn as the updates were on the ESB twitter, which I don't think he used. He just thought his telly was broken. Plenty from the road drop in on him.

Reati

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Do you volunteer with elderly in your area? Or help with any support groups?

She lives on an island off the west coast of Ireland. I'd bet you a dollar she's heavily involved with her community and neighbours.

FFred

Graces7 wrote: »

lol.. In case you don;t know this came up in a previous thread and like others I did say my cats are welcome to my dead flesh

BUT in this context, poor taste?

Although I consider myself to have a very good sense of humour, I found it a bit ‘close to the bone’ (in a manner of speaking )

Graces7

FFred wrote: »

Although I consider myself to have a very good sense of humour, I found it a bit ‘close to the bone’ (in a manner of speaking )

Indeed! had there been a link to the other thread/ Even so in this context..

Graces7

Talked earlier with my family about this. Told them that when I see death approaching, I will simply greet the inevitable quietly here in my bed. or outside. No human company sought.

It was not the lonely death in this case. I am a true loner and always will be and my family know and respect that.

as was this man. Like others no need of intrusive home help etc

It is that he lay there and no one noticed.

The pensioner was found dead in his house after a concerned person called to his home as he hadn’t been seen in some time.

and

It is understood that the man who passed away was well-liked in the area but kept to himself.

Sad times. the death of community?

Nekarsulm

A woman near us lay dead for about ten days.
She was a particularly awkward character, who seemed to like nothing better than reporting her neighbours for many snd varied offences.
Polluting drains, noise pollution, animal welfare problems, etc etc.
The postman was not allowed enter on her property if the gate at the road was closed, she hated people pulling in on the entrance to her property and had large rocks placed along the roadside.
If a car slowed down or pulled up to make a phone call, she imagined it was a burglar casing the joint and had the gardai plagued with calls about imaginary robbers.
This went on for twenty years.
After almost two weeks of not seeing her, the postman reported it yo the gardai, and about the same time her ex husband was trying to get her on the phone and dtove down to see what was going on.
They broke in and found her dead in bed, with the electric blanket on.
The Garda Sergeant wasn't the better of it for a while.
Some people are reclusive, some are alone in the world, some are such a pain that if they aren't fighting with you you are grateful and get on with your own life.

Graces7

Reati wrote: »

She lives on an island off the west coast of Ireland. I'd bet you a dollar she's heavily involved with her community and neighbours.

Thank you..Cannot find the post you reply to.

I am nearly 80, disabled and all but housebound, and yes, very involved and I know who everyone is and that they are cared for, without intruding. I seek no home help or other intrusions either.

As they do me. In the past yes I have worked with support groups. of course. still in touch with some by email etc.

Graces7

Nekarsulm wrote: »

A woman near us lay dead for about ten days.
She was a particularly awkward character, who seemed to like nothing better than reporting her neighbours for many snd varied offences.
Polluting drains, noise pollution, animal welfare problems, etc etc.
The postman was not allowed enter on her property if the gate at the road was closed, she hated people pulling in on the entrance to her property and had large rocks placed along the roadside.
If a car slowed down or pulled up to make a phone call, she imagined it was a burglar casing the joint and had the gardai plagued with calls about imaginary robbers.
This went on for twenty years.
After almost two weeks of not seeing her, the postman reported it yo the gardai, and about the same time her ex husband was trying to get her on the phone and dtove down to see what was going on.
They broke in and found her dead in bed, with the electric blanket on.
The Garda Sergeant wasn't the better of it for a while.
Some people are reclusive, some are alone in the world, some are such a pain that if they aren't fighting with you you are grateful and get on with your own life.

You cared enough that you checked. Mental illness in the elderly is common.

lawred2

Graces7 wrote: »

see
https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/appeal-for-neighbours-to-be-vigilant-after-pensioner-who-died-in-cork-lay-undiscovered-for-seven-months-938595.html

There are no words.

If you're a recluse then this can be an inevitable conclusion

its sad i spose

its not a reflection on anything unless we know all the circumstances

anything that could definitely prevent occurrences like this would prompt complaint from many

that's life, that's death.

Lackadaisical

This story is extremely sad, but I think we also need to start to take note of the fact that we aren't all that great at building community, especially in big urban areas like Cork City or Dublin. It's quite possible to be very isolated in Irish cities and I've seen it a few times over the years. There isn't all that much communal space and, while there are recent examples of things like community gardens, mens sheds and so on, they need to be far more widespread and inclusive.

I just think we sometimes can be great at clapping ourselves on the back with the "aarghagh sure aren't we great craic all together" when in reality there are huge gaps.

If you compare Ireland to a lot of continental Europe, the one thing that I always notice is that there are way more activities that just happen for older people and they're not organised as some kind of social service or seen as patronising - a lot of that is down to more sane housing that's actually accessible and tends to focus on towns rather than scatter sprawl too, but some of it is definitely just structural.

Our focus on the pub as a centre of socialising also doesn't necessarily translate into community in suburban / urban spaces in the way it does down the country and it's something people need to be aware of. An urban pub in Cork or Dublin can be a very lonely place.

I live close the centre of Cork and I would literally know none of my neighbours - and it's not for want of trying. There's just no context to meet them other than going up and knocking on the door. Shopping happens by car into the suburban malls or in the city centre and there's no real place to meet locally. The local bars are increasingly trendy hipster places that aren't full of locals.

All that being said, you will also always get a percentage of people who just aren't that sociable. I know we have at least one relative-in-law in her late 80s in my own family and she literally will not answer calls, sees any community support services as 'interfering busybodies' won't open the door when people call (family or neighbours) and generally keeps herself to herself.

It's actually extremely difficult to keep in touch with her as she makes every effort to avoid contact with people and there's no logical reason for it. It's not down to some kind of family feud or anything like that. She's just always been like that. All people can do is subtly enquire as if you overstep the line she will tell you where to go in no uncertain terms. So, it's more a case of just making sure that she has support and that someone's keeping an eye out to make sure she's not in trouble. We did manage to get her to accept some home help hours, but it was an incredibly difficult sell and has to be kept on a very formal basis.

It's also important to remember that for some older people, accepting help is seen as defeat. I've seen that with my own grandmother. She was incredibly sociable but she fought very hard to avoid any kind of interaction with home helps or nurses as she saw it all as incredibly patronising. In some ways she right. The way it is delivered, can be very patronising. I think we need to address that.

I do genuinely find some of the HSE's services have a tendency to patronise, institutionalise and almost infantilise older people. Basically, to approach here's as a home help, you just needed to be prepared to come in and actually help, not tell her what to do - and that might mean sitting down and having a cup of tea, or working with her on the house work or helping her hang out the clothes. She didn't take kindly to someone barging into her home, and that was often how some of them approached it - almost turning her living room into a nursing home. All she actually needed was someone to 'hang out' with her and give her a hand and that subtlety was very often missed. She was in her late 80s, quite ill but sharp as a tack and hilariously funny. All you had to do was work with that.

I guess all I'm saying is the supports need to be there and there need to be places and organisations that people can interact with on their own terms, and there needs to be a variety of different things that aren't just all about sitting in the pub - you need almost a city equivalent of university clubs and societies.

The one thing that always stuck in my head was my granny saying "I feel like I'm 22 but when I look into the mirror there's this weird looking auld-one staring back at me!"

No matter how hip and trendy we are, we all get old.

Graces7

Lackadaisical wrote: »

This story is extremely sad, but I think we also need to start to take note of the fact that we aren't all that great at building community, especially in big urban areas like Cork City or Dublin. It's quite possible to be very isolated in Irish cities and I've seen it a few times over the years. There isn't all that much communal space and, while there are recent examples of things like community gardens, mens sheds and so on, they need to be far more widespread and inclusive.

I just think we sometimes can be great at clapping ourselves on the back with the "aarghagh sure aren't we great craic all together" when in reality there are huge gaps.

If you compare Ireland to a lot of continental Europe, the one thing that I always notice is that there are way more activities that just happen for older people and they're not organised as some kind of social service or seen as patronising - a lot of that is down to more sane housing that's actually accessible and tends to focus on towns rather than scatter sprawl too, but some of it is definitely just structural.

Our focus on the pub as a centre of socialising also doesn't necessarily translate into community in suburban / urban spaces in the way it does down the country and it's something people need to be aware of. An urban pub in Cork or Dublin can be a very lonely place.

I live close the centre of Cork and I would literally know none of my neighbours - and it's not for want of trying. There's just no context to meet them other than going up and knocking on the door. Shopping happens by car into the suburban malls or in the city centre and there's no real place to meet locally. The local bars are increasingly trendy hipster places that aren't full of locals.

All that being said, you will also always get a percentage of people who just aren't that sociable. I know we have at least one relative-in-law in her late 80s in my own family and she literally will not answer calls, sees any community support services as 'interfering busybodies' won't open the door when people call (family or neighbours) and generally keeps herself to herself.

It's actually extremely difficult to keep in touch with her as she makes every effort to avoid contact with people and there's no logical reason for it. It's not down to some kind of family feud or anything like that. She's just always been like that. All people can do is subtly enquire as if you overstep the line she will tell you where to go in no uncertain terms. So, it's more a case of just making sure that she has support and that someone's keeping an eye out to make sure she's not in trouble. We did manage to get her to accept some home help hours, but it was an incredibly difficult sell and has to be kept on a very formal basis.

It's also important to remember that for some older people, accepting help is seen as defeat. I've seen that with my own grandmother. She was incredibly sociable but she fought very hard to avoid any kind of interaction with home helps or nurses as she saw it all as incredibly patronising. In some ways she right. The way it is delivered, can be very patronising. I think we need to address that.

I do genuinely find some of the HSE's services have a tendency to patronise, institutionalise and almost infantilise older people. Basically, to approach here's as a home help, you just needed to be prepared to come in and actually help, not tell her what to do - and that might mean sitting down and having a cup of tea, or working with her on the house work or helping her hang out the clothes. She didn't take kindly to someone barging into her home, and that was often how some of them approached it - almost turning her living room into a nursing home. All she actually needed was someone to 'hang out' with her and give her a hand and that subtlety was very often missed. She was in her late 80s, quite ill but sharp as a tack and hilariously funny. All you had to do was work with that.

I guess all I'm saying is the supports need to be there and there need to be places and organisations that people can interact with on their own terms, and there needs to be a variety of different things that aren't just all about sitting in the pub - you need almost a city equivalent of university clubs and societies.

The one thing that always stuck in my head was my granny saying "I feel like I'm 22 but when I look into the mirror there's this weird looking auld-one staring back at me!"

No matter how hip and trendy we are, we all get old.

excellent post; thank you

I have carefully fended off certain inappropriate ideas .. and my family have my POA and my GP knows that. and has their contact details. Patronising and taking control when not needed drives old folk into isolation. and stops folk seeking help when they need it.

And reading the report, i would be wary of some of the ideas that are too intrusive ,while ensuring no one is left to find me when 7 months dead. What an appalling thing for the authorities. In that case folk knew him but?

when I was in council accommodation in Sheffield, the older man in the flat below died and as he was still working, was found in a matter of days. He was, apart from work, reclusive. Came home, shut his door, spoke to no one. A council official was irate that we his neighbours had not somehow prevented him dying alone. NB the lady at the corner shop knew him well...that would have been enough social contact for him.

There needs some way to ? Many of your ideas are excellent!

Meals on wheels have excellent Lunch clubs; I used to visit one when i was still going out, and saw how friendships were forming with like minded old folk

OldGoat

Just in case it's of interest to anyone...
https://alone.ie/

Started by a fireman in response to the numerous times they called to find people ...alone.

TheBoyConor

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I don't know about this case so I won't comment on it.

However I have seen elderly people becomes isolated and left alone over the years.
The popular answer is the youth of Today don't care about the elderly and only care about social media.
However in my experience these people.
Treated the district nurse terribly and were often abusive and the same with home helps.
Same with neighbors always calling the Gardai over the kids out on the green with a ball or the tiniest bit of noise.
Some one new moves in and tries to help them out around the house/shpping or garden. They get accused of only doing it for there money or trying to steal something.
I even heard of a man doing a task for a neighbour for free. He was a trades man and she reported him to his work place for doing it and he got a warning over it.
Then there are those who are abusive to their family and they eventually have enough of them.

You have a good point there. There is all the usual bleating and "what is the world coming to" comments of facebook. Fair enough but we must remember that not every elderly person is a loveable harmless soul in need of communication and a friendly neighbour. There are some people in this world who are simply intolerable to be around and people cut them off or they cut themselves off. He could have been alone and isolated because he was a manipulative abuser or whatever. Not saying it is the case here, but it is possible.

Neyite

It's very sad.

The problem is that often we are telling older people to be wary and careful with their safety and that does mean that they need to be cautious who they let into their home -even if that is neighbours sometimes. There has been cases where neighbours stole from the elderly that trusted them. They feel vulnerable and distrusting. We have a family whatsapp with the relatives that live alone in our family and informal rotas to make sure they get a visit every few days or so.

And yes, seeing in nursing homes or hospitals the way some care workers talk to old people in that condescending high-pitched tone like they are talking to a toddler sets my teeth on edge. You would tell people like that to feck off and leave you alone, wouldn't you?

Neyite

Neyite wrote: »

It's very sad.


And yes, seeing in nursing homes or hospitals the way some care workers talk to old people in that condescending high-pitched tone like they are talking to a toddler sets my teeth on edge. You would tell people like that to feck off and leave you alone, wouldn't you?

id say the worst direction this thread could take is to start criticising the people that actually do take care of the elderly when nobody else is. one of the most thankless and hardest jobs there is, id say.

Neyite

Deleted User wrote: »

id say the worst direction this thread could take is to start criticising the people that actually do take care of the elderly when nobody else is. one of the most thankless and hardest jobs there is, id say.

It is one of the hardest and most thankless jobs. There are plenty of different jobs like that and I've worked in a few of them. No need to talk to other adults like they are idiots in the course of your job.

Neyite

Neyite wrote: »

It is one of the hardest and most thankless jobs. There are plenty of different jobs like that and I've worked in a few of them. No need to talk to other adults like they are idiots in the course of your job.

probably not the thread for it but 'adults' carries with it a full set of connotations that arent always going to apply in the circumstances we're describing. thats self-evident by dint of their being there in the first place.

nobody has yet managed to implement a system of late-life care that delivers everything required to the standards everyone would want because the range and variance of daily difficulties faced are immense.

a visitor overhearing a tone they dislike cant be high on the list of priorities of the staff.

Graces7

Deleted User wrote: »

id say the worst direction this thread could take is to start criticising the people that actually do take care of the elderly when nobody else is. one of the most thankless and hardest jobs there is, id say.

the real issue is often the attitude to old folk who do NOT need taking care of . It drives them into hiding . Visiting when they have not been invited and walking into private homes... talking down to old folk as if we are eejits.
hence some of the reclusive behaviour.

But surely needs to be a way of simply keeping a respectful , unobtrusive weather eye?

freshpopcorn

Graces7 wrote: »

If these agencies arrived without being asked small wonder they got no welcome. We who are old need to keep choices open and retain our privacy. Not having strangers pushing in!

There is a difference between that and keeping a weather eye on elderly neighbours. As folk here do for me and I for them.

Also what help for old folk who have some form of dementia and confusion? Or mental illness?

Whatever, letting a dead one lie for seven months with no one noticing is a terrible reflection on all of us.

I've seen some more active district nurse's call to some elderly people.
When it started it was a knock on the door and she asked did they need any help of they didn't she went on her way.
In most cases it was family who organised the visit because they knew the person wasn't able to mange on own without support/care any more.

Some people do their best to look out for people but when you get it thrown back in your face time and time again and you end up in trouble a lot would give up.

There is a difference between somebody being reclusive and a person making their neigbhours/family lives hell.(They are often threads in Personal Issues and people are told to give up on family members and have nothing to do with them).So how you treat people when your younger may have change how your treated yourself.

When it comes to people with mental health issues and dementia it's a hard one to call but as you said yourself. It's no wonder the district nurse was got no welcome if she called unannounced or it being arranged by the person. So, it's sort of hard to know what to do.

Leg End Reject

Are all pensions collected in person, or by appointed representative, at post offices?

Surely it'd noticed if it wasn't collected?

This is it

OldGoat wrote: »

Just in case it's of interest to anyone...
https://alone.ie/

Started by a fireman in response to the numerous times they called to find people ...alone.

I signed up for this recently. My Grandad passed away last year which left my Nana on her own. She's lucky in that she has a huge family and not a day goes by where a few of us don't call, but others aren't so lucky.

Maybe this man liked being alone, and that's fine. I just find it sad that he was there for 7 months.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

There's an organisation here where volunteers phone older people living alone every morning. It can be a twenty minute chat or a short "Hello Mary, all ok today?" "Yes thanks" - end of call.

Gael23

These things happen occasionally. Remember a similar case in Wexford a few years ago

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Leg End Reject wrote: »

Are all pensions collected in person, or by appointed representative, at post offices?

Surely it'd noticed if it wasn't collected?

No, many are withdawn using ATM cards. And there are many reasons why a pension my not be collected every week; despite what some may maintain many SW pensioners can afford to go on holidays for a couple of weeks for instance. I know some who only collect their pensions monthly.

freshpopcorn

Leg End Reject wrote: »

Are all pensions collected in person, or by appointed representative, at post offices?

Surely it'd noticed if it wasn't collected?

Some people's pension are paid into bank accounts.
If they were to monitor these things people would be quick to come out with I'm entitled to my privacy/etc.

gctest50

freshpopcorn wrote: »

Some people's pension are paid into bank accounts.
If they were to monitor these things people would be quick to come out with I'm entitled to my privacy/etc.

You could automate it