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Original poster

Are your elderly listening now?

43 replies

Orangeblossom78 · 24/03/2020 16:11

Mine are not, still going out to the shops (PIL) despite recent news, thing they picked up on going out for essentials...it seems to me the younger people taking things more seriously and ordering food online etc.

I know there was another thread saying how the older people were just going on as usual and wondered if anyone found they had changed any. Or not.

OP posts:
DoubleAction · 24/03/2020 16:16

Mine are listeming, yes they're following the rules as they apply to them. They haven't had a letter so they are having a daily walk and shopping for essentials. They haven't gotn the message that at mid 70s they should take greater precautions. They are fit and well and don't for a minute see themselves as vulnerable

Original poster
Orangeblossom78 · 24/03/2020 16:19

I'm confused, so the over 70s are Ok to go out for food and essentials, or considered vulnerable and to stay home and get shopping delivered?

I thought it was the latter so maybe I am wrong. maybe it is just of they are over 70 and with health conditions?

OP posts:
RamblingFar · 24/03/2020 16:19

Nope, still not got the message. Still going out shopping for non-essentials at least once a day. Still laughing at me when I tell them they are being silly and selfish.

Squashpocket · 24/03/2020 16:22

Mine has so far been out to get meat from the butcher for the dog (the dog would be fine just with dog food) and is planning this week to drive round to my house to drop off some non essential items and pick up some plants from our garden, visit my fathers grave to plant said flowers and drive her car to the garage for its MOT, where she plans to sit in their waiting room for an hour while they do it. Safe to say, I don't think she's listening. I've told her to stay at home obviously, but she's oblivious.

DoubleAction · 24/03/2020 16:25

The over 70s are advised to stay at home but they're not in the group that have been "told" to stay at home. If they haven't had a letter because of underlying conditions, their rules are the same as ours but it is recommend they take additional precautions because they are vulnerable.

TBH it's not surprising they don't get it!

RadioRodeo · 24/03/2020 16:27

Nope. Sadly not. My mother has been popping out to the shops left, right and center. She says it's all 'hysteria' and over the top.

I've tried telling her that if she catches it, she may not get the care she needs to survive it. And that her actions might lead to infecting someone else who dies. "Don't be silly, that's so negative."

She's also stopped watching the news.

SilverySurfer · 24/03/2020 16:31

Everyone I know of my age (mid 70s) and older are in self isolation, as opposed to a couple i know in their 50s who insist it's just a bad cold and won't stop going out shopping a few times a week and asking if I want them to visit to bring me stuff (NO)

Fuck off with the ageism. If you've got stupid parents that's your problem but don't lump us all together.

dorapicasso · 24/03/2020 16:33

I'm bewildered by this. My DH is over 70 and is perfectly capable of listening to the PM telling us to stay at home and acting upon it, just the same as I am. We've both been out for a walk today, nowhere else and won't be going anywhere until we need some food shopping later in the week. My neighbour in his 70s falls into the vulnerable group and has had the text which tells him to stay in for 12 weeks which he will be doing. My other elderly neighbours are following the advice to stay at home.

It's amazing how some people think the rules don't apply to them, but I guess there are people of all ages who think that.

BecauseOfTheRain · 24/03/2020 16:34

No! SadMine have 'popped' into three shops on their walk today. Apparently as they practised social- distancing this is fine - and they want to support local shops. Trying hard to respond patiently to them but feeling very frustrated and frightened for them. They are both early 70s and have underlying health issues.

moita · 24/03/2020 16:35

Yes my grandparents are, as is my MIL and elderly neighbours. Friend who works in a garden centre said it was full of elderley people on sunday...

Rosehip10 · 24/03/2020 16:36

No - saw a women in her 80s buying a bottle of whisky in an M&S food hall.

Graft · 24/03/2020 16:36

'My' elderly are fine.

It's the families with young children driving to my village to go for walks I'm having a problem with.

Stupidity and selfishness are not age specific.

ShadyAcromat · 24/03/2020 16:36

I've just offended one neighbour by offering to help out. Turns out she's only 63 Shock

sunglasses123 · 24/03/2020 16:39

SILVERY - sorry, this virus kills the elderly most of all. DS works in a supermarket. There are less over 70's during the day, they are just taking advantage of the first hour. One asked whether coffee (which has been cancelled during the emergency, one less thing for the staff to do) could be given out whilst they waited to get in as they didnt want to miss out!

Its honestly nothing to do with ageism. You could say this disease is ageist! Its to do with personal responsibility. You might think your time is up and its OK if you get the virus but have you asked everyone you infect if it is OK with them?

EndoplasmicReticulum · 24/03/2020 16:39

I have stopped my mum "popping". She is now banned from shops, I will go instead, and I have told her I am not "popping" either - I will go twice a week and she needs to get a list together for everything she needs in that time. She wasn't bothered about catching it herself but I pointed out that if she ended up needing intensive care she'd either a) be out of luck or b) prevent someone else from getting the care they needed. Teenagers have been much less trouble.

Original poster
Orangeblossom78 · 24/03/2020 16:41

I wasn't trying to be ageist just asking as it was mention previously and obviously as in group which tend to die more therefore of concern Confused

I understand the anger though it is hard to be in this group. It's also hard to watch when you are a concerned relative. And sorry seems I posted this twice by accident.

it is confusing advice isn't it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangeblossom78 · 24/03/2020 16:43

Also, I read in the gov's info that this was the one thing which would make a big difference, more than schools shutting etc, getting the over 70s to self isolate would make the biggest difference, and the vulnerable.

OP posts:
rainbowlou · 24/03/2020 16:52

Mine are refusing, have a very ‘who do they think they are’ attitude about being told to stay in!
They live miles away but think because we are related it surely wouldn’t hurt to come and visit us if we all get bored as it’s a prime time to visit the grandchildren

SilverySurfer · 24/03/2020 17:08

Fine then talk about your particular elderlies, please don't lump us altogether into a 'stupid' mass, we are individuals, the same as you are.

For the person shocked at an 'elderly' buying a bottle whisky in M&S I had to go to my surgery yesterday and there is an ASDA close by. I needed a few things I was missing from my last delivery, live alone, can no longer book a slot online so it was either starve or go to ASDA. Apart from urgently needed purchases was a big bottle of whisky. Shoot me.

sunglasses123 · 24/03/2020 17:49

People are Silvery. My son works in a supermarket. He works the Early Shift when the older people are allowed to come in first. He sees the same people in every few days, some every day because that is what they have always done but the hour is now just for them which is great but they cannot see the bigger picture.

My DM is similar and I dont live locally. I have to trust that she is doing what she says she is. But you know who will get called if something happens... me! I might well be asked whether she wants life support, ventilator etc. I think I know the answer but I cannot bring this up with her but I am POA so I hope and pray she follows the government policy. I have spoken to her about it not only being her decision and she could infect people etc etc. She agrees but somehow..... She has promised me she is only going out once a week but I suspect that isnt true.

Carrie7469 · 24/03/2020 17:55

Yes. Elderly relatives are going no further than their own back garden. I’m so relieved.

sunglasses123 · 24/03/2020 17:58

I think a elderly person buying a bottle of whiskey. Well - if only that was our biggest problem.

Paddingtonthebear · 24/03/2020 17:58

My neighbour is in her seventies and I’ve seen her go out in her car three times today 🤷‍♀️

cheeseislife8 · 24/03/2020 18:02

My DF isn't and its driving me mad. He's better than he was but still talking about making non-essential journeys, can I still see x person etc. So hard as it's not the time to be snapping at your nearest and dearest!

Lobsterquadrille2 · 24/03/2020 18:02

Yes, my mother (89) is happily tending her garden and having home deliveries. She's done an about turn and is suddenly stoic. We have family weddings cancelled and probably her own 90th birthday celebration - obviously these are small in the grand scheme of things, but as the weddings are postponed until next year, there's a possibility that she won't get to attend (although she's in excellent health generally). I'm happy that she's taking it all seriously and I've even got her into FaceTime.

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