Worried about elderly neighbour

[NotInvolved]

Wasn't really sure where to put this but hope someone here might have some advice.
To cut a long story short, our elderly next door neighbour was recently bereaved. She has no children or other close relatives, so nobody has power of attorney or anything. We, and other neighbours on the road are increasingly concerned about her well being. She is increasingly forgetful, is making practical and financial decisions that are not sensible in our eyes and has had a couple of falls recently, though she's been sent home from A&E on both occasions. She's also adamant that she's fine and doesn't need any help, though clearly she does.
Another neighbour has already contact social services but to our knowledge nothing has happened as a result yet. We are at a loss what to do. Obviously we have no authority but we feel a certain responsibility and are worried that something bad is going to happen soon if nobody intervenes. Any advice on what else we could do would be appreciated.

I hope someone with more knowledge than me will comment but I don’t think there is anything else you can do apart from contact social services again and at least have your neighbour on their radar. If someone is deemed to have capacity then no one will get involved until there is a crisis. Unfortunately, even if there is family there is very little support available from the services.

Depends on what she’s doing that seems illogical or unsafe. It’s possible that she has cognitive decline but was well supported by her husband so it wasn’t obvious.

You could raise a safeguarding concern via the council but if they deem her to have capacity then they’ll let her get on with life until she starts leaving the cooker on and setting fire to the house. That’s how it works I’m afraid.

Can the neighbours give her a bit of support in the meantime?

I would give Age UK a bell and ask for some advice - this is exactly the type of thing that they have experience of: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/age-uk-advice-line/

Can you expand on what your actual concerns are? It’s hard to give advice as the OP is too vague.

Is she well dressed? Dressed for the weather? Is she looking after her self and her house? Is she clean? Who fetches her food? Is she cooking / eating well? Is she taking her meds regularly if she is on any? If she is falling does she have a call alarm? Do you know why she is falling? Ie anything medical, legs giving way, tripping on rugs/ cluttered house. These are the main things I would be looking at when I asses an elderly person at home (work as a nurse specialist in the community).

There isn't really anything you can do.

If Social Services visit and she tells them she's fine, they will leave it at that. She will be assumed to have capacity to make her own decisions until something happens to disprove it. In the meantime, she can make as many bad decisions as she likes.

You are right that something bad will probably happen - she will have a more serious fall, and if she has a hospital stay that is the point she may be diagnosed as having dementia and lacking capacity. Social Services can then do more, although they are very keen on keeping the person in their own home until it becomes impossible.

Very much this, I'm afraid. All you and the other neighbours can do is keep as good an eye on as possible and if you think she is being financially exploited by anyone, report to Adult Social Services. Most areas have a MASH (multi agency safeguarding hub) or equivalent.

Consider what you are willing to do. Perhaps ask if she would like to have a neighbour who is also a key holder? Or you’re getting someone in to install a key safe for you, would she like them to do one for her too? (I have one myself). That way you can get in if you have serious concerns about her, and call an ambulance if she’s very unwell.

Also chat to her a bit - any church or religious links? Any other friends? Which GP practice is she with?

Id always be reasonably honest - [cheerful voice] ‘we’ve been a bit worried about you Lyn, you haven’t seemed yourself just recently’

Yy to Age UK too

As another PP said contact AgeUk our local person is amazing at doing outreach and assisting those who are alone!

I just wanted to say thank you for being so thoughtful and looking out for your neighbour.