EXTREMELY WORRIED ABOUT NEIGHBOUR! What to do???!

I don’t think there’s any point phoning any of those helplines. A Samaritan listens to people, they don’t go out looking for people to rescue them.

OP, I’d ring adult social services, or 111 for advice.

@BabyBentleyBlonde -could you have some bagged up supplies ready to ‘chuck out’ when she is around? Some non- perishable food stuffs (or even fresh if you can know when you’re likely to encounter her), as you go to dispose of them, she may accept them? Or even a few old clothes? Just thinking how you could maybe build up some trust….

What kind of security do you have in the communal entrance? Is it private?

I suppose it’s possible she’s stopped taking her medication.

@BabyBentleyBlonde did you find anyone to check up?

unless she is 65 or over she wont be classed as older op.
she will be adult

Can I say on behalf of 111 that we cannot do anything at all unless we know the persons name and details. How can we ‘make a report’ with no details of who they are??

Essentially nobody can do anything at all about this on such a vague report with no name or address it’s a non starter.

OP would need to go and speak to the person and try to get some details out of her and ideally her consent to contact someone to help her. If she calls 111 it will need to be in the presence of the person because they might indeed have capacity and be making an unwise choice to drink themselves to death or whatever. No one can say what this is could be dementia, a psychotic illness, a physical or neuro problem or tbh I thought the description sounded a lot like a person addicted to crack or spice.

Just for future info as this comes up frequently:

Police will only deal with individuals if they are AT THAT MOMENT causing harm to themselves or someone else

https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/concern-for-welfare/right-care-right-person/

If they appear to be unwell either physically or mentally you can call 111 - they are likely to ask you to go and speak to the person so that they can offer them an assessment - if they say no, they will record the concern and can contact adult social care, but they cannot assess if person refuses.

111 can record a safeguarding concern if there are no actual symptoms but they will pass this on to social services and it is likely quicker to contact Adult social services direct. Link below will help find the right one

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/local-authority-adult-social-care/

For concerns about hoarding/ environmental risks that are being caused by someone - if these are leading to risks to others e.g rats/or noise/ fire risks then you can either ring the council for environmental health or the fire service if there is a fire risk - they will contact the person to discuss.

Individuals who have capacity are permitted to make bad decisions (dressing inappropriately) , refusing help, refusing treatment. Capacity decisions are usually made by GPs or other HCPs.

As her behaviour has changed (for the worse) I would definitely ring Adult Social Services and ask for a welfare check. As ppl suggest, follow her discretely back to her flat to see where she lives.
You are a great person for looking out for her.

If she outside in freezing cold going through bins I think I'd be tempted to call a non emergency police line for someone having a mental health episode.

If you know her details and likely GP it may be worth letting them know. You can also try adult social care but its voluntary unless a person is deemed to lack capacity. She might have a condition where you does not think there's anything wrong.

Do you know if she ever has visitors? Definitely alert the adult safeguarding service but also talk to one of her relatives or friends if this is possible. Good luck hope this has a positive outcome 🙏

It does sound a lot like early onset dementia. When my mum started with this I would phone her and she would tell me about her perfectly normal day, but then her neighbours would phone me and tell me that was walking the street and knocking on people's doors at 3am and constantly needed taking home.

Does she have any family who visit her that you could keep an eye out for and speak to when they come next? They may think they have everything under control but are not aware of how she is when they are not there. In any case I am sure they would appreciate there is a neighbour keeping an eye out on her.

I have some experience in the field of dementia. Inappropriate clothing for weather, eccentric dressing, nightime activity - turning night into day, general confusion, speaking in platitudes can be indicators. Previous posters have suggested schizophrenia.

Please do call social services older adult team.

My late neighbour began not understanding how to drive which her husband dealt with promptly. Instead of coming to my door she would hammer on my front window. It was always the same story when I let her in. The phones were down. I reassured her they were not but could only pacify her by letting her check my phone. Again, this lady needs help so please do call.

I have a neighbour who occasionally behaves like this - she has diagnosed schizophrenia and it's when she forgets to take her medication. We're on a single-track lane, and the neighbours are all aware. We take a jacket out (she's usually naked or topless sadly), and guide her back home, and give her crisis team a ring.

https://giveusashout.org/ have an online & phone advice service

OP I'm a GP and this does sound concerning. I'd be concerned about emerging mental illness or an acute infection. The latter could become life threatening quickly. Have you tried telling her that you're concerned? Would she be willing to let you take her to a GP appointment or call her an ambulance? My advice would be to try and work with her and see what she'll consent to first. If she won't cooperate then at the very least I'd report to adult social care and if you're significantly concerned for her welfare I'd call 999. I'd be taking this seriously and I'd be especially concerned about her wandering off and getting lost especially in these freezing temperatures. She could freeze to death quite quickly

I hope you are successful.

We had a similar situation in terms of welfare concerns but unfortunately not a great outcome. It was a neighbour and we had full name and address.

Myself and other neighbours reported her as a welfare concern on the council website, plus concerns to environmental health. She has been reported to DVLA as she is still driving. Nothing has happened on the driving front.

Adult social care/welfare said she was well known to them. They referred to environmental health who dealt with the rat infestation a few years ago… but apart from that nothing.

She doesn’t pay her bills so has no lighting. She often sleeps in her car. Her house is full of her hoarding and her garden harbours rats and the weight of years of unchecked brambles has caused her fencing to fall down.

They said ultimately people can live as they choose…

I think you should be phoning police and explaining you have concerns about their wellbeing and that this person is obviously self neglecting for some time now. They will get them plugged into the support services that they need.
shes lucky she has you for a neighbour.

Please call social services and report a welfare concern. And keep doing so every time you see her doing something concerning.

She sounds very vulnerable and in need of help. Possibly schizophrenia, dementia or a very advanced untreated UTI. A welfare visit would be a great start.

Who manages your block? Some block management is awful but if it is a good one, talk to them.

Issues with elderly people who become unable to cope are not uncommon. They are almost certainly aware of problems as she may not be paying her bills or granting access to workmen or setting off fire alarms, so will know which flat she is in. They will also be in good position to report. Not least they have a duty if they perceive her as a risk to either herself or to others.

Have you asked neighbours adjacent to you if they know which flat she lives in? Could you discretely follow her back to her flat? I think once you know which flat, a call to adult social care is needed. She sounds mentally unwell.

Might be worth contacting the ‘help the aged’ line and get their advice. It sounds as though this lady may have a form of dementia and need care.