To call Social Services

[WelshMaenad]

Driving out of our village yesterday morning we saw a chap sprawled on the pavement, so we pulled over and went to help him. It was an older man, one I recognised as local. His home is very dilapidated with a door that doesn't even close properly. It appears he has alcohol abuse issues.

He had cut his face up pretty badly, DH ran to the dr's surgery nearby, they confirmed the alcohol issues and refused assistance other than giving him some paper towels. Helpful.

Anyway, we got him cleaned up and into his house but I was really concerned about his lack of support and living situation (house is in v poor shape and he is struggling with personal hygiene). So I called the adult duty desk and gave them his info to see if he can be convinced to accept some intervention.

I'm going to pop down to check on him tomorrow because he seemed quite taken with me, and I'm hoping I can talk him into at least being receptive to listening to SS, and also ask his permission to refer him to a service that could help with securing his property. DH thinks I am being a busybody and should remove my beak. I just worry about this guy, if he doesn't want help then fair enough, but SS had no record if him at all so it appears nobody else has taken any interest in him.

No, YANBU. I think it's lovely that you care enough to try and help him. Try not to railroad him though.

Oh you're definitely not being unreasonable - I really hope you can get him help. You sound LOVELY :) x

YANBU! If more people took an interest in their neighbours wellbeing we'd have a lot less people dying alone.

Social Services are there to help people, and if they can even make one tiny aspect of this man's life better, than it can only be a good thing.

And he can always refuse a service if he doesn't want one - but at least someone will be aware of him.

That seems like a good idea. I would also make a complaint about the GP surgery as they should not be disclosing medical information and I can't believe they refused to help

I think that was lovely of you, maybe thats what he needed. A friendly face/helpful person to help convince him he needs a hand. I hope he gets the support he needs.

I think we need more people like you! Hopefully he'll take the help.

The drs should be ashamed of themselves

Yanbu

Surgery reaction was sadly unsurprising, I have moved the whole family to a different surgery due to the appalling attitude of the Dr and his staff. Story for another day...

I have career and personal experience in care if the elderly and community support of substance misusers so I think I've just giobe into 'work mode'!

YANBU at all.... if more people were like you the world would be a better place... people sadly nowadays are to afraid to act in these situations.... so well done you and I hope that he will accept help!

You sound lovely. Just dont get offended if all your help gets thrown back in your face. Some people are so down trodden in their situation that they cant see a way out. So dont take it personally if he refuses help.

But yanbu at all. The world would be a much nicer place if there were more like you :)

All you can do is try!! Good luck!

Yanbu, if more people cared like you do, the world would be a far better place.

P.S It's the kind of thing I'd do, you're not alone

thank you.

yanbu. you are being 'fully human' and an example to us all. i suppose your experience through work will have given you confidence to deal with the situation, which many people would not have. but you could have chosen not to help him, and you didn't. God bless you for it.