How to help elderly neighbour

[SummonTheMagpies]

I just helped a very elderly lady home. She was struggling to walk and told me she’d just come out of hospital after a 3.5 week stay with pneumonia. I helped her into her flat and while it was tidy it wasn’t the cleanest. She clearly can’t look after herself well and cannot get in and out of her home. She lived up two flights of stairs. Said she has no family nearby. Is there any social service or something I can report to to ask for support for her? I felt bad leaving her alone but I’m a stranger and didn’t want to linger. I took note of her address and know her first name.

That was a kind thing to do.

Others might have better advice, but I’d suggest you could google Social Services in your area, give them a call and ask if they are aware if her. Age U.K. might also have some good ideas. Obviously it will depend on whether she wants help.

We had an elderly neighbour who was in a bad way (dementia, but no one had realised). I phoned the GP and said I knew they couldn’t give me any information or even confirm if he was a patient, but could I tell them what I had observed. That led to a police welfare check, which led to a social services referral, which got him some help.

Thank you. I’ve emailed both the local social care team and Age UK. Hopefully will hear back in the week.