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Original poster

Worried about elderly neighbour

119 replies

CaptainCallisto · 12/07/2016 20:39

I'm really concerned about my neighbour. Her dog has been barking for over an hour, and he's usually really placid and only barks if someone is at the door. I know she's in because her car is there (she isn't too steady on her pins so always takes the car) but she's not answering the door...

I had a quick look through the living room window, but I couldn't see anything, except that the tv is on.

I've just called the police (non-emergency) to see what they suggested, and they're going to send someone over. I'm just so worried she's fallen, or worse, and I can't get in to help!

Feeling very helpless Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
CaptainCallisto · 12/07/2016 21:39

It never occurred to me to ask her for a key 'just in case'. I shall definitely see if we can arrange something now.

Thanks all for the virtual hand hold. I'm surprised at how shaken I am!

OP posts:
jpclarke · 12/07/2016 21:40

Please try not to feel awful, if you hadn't of called the police she could of been there all night or more. I heard this happening a lady lately, she was in a very bad way by the time they got to her.

TallulahTheTiger · 12/07/2016 21:41

Well done OP! When she is in hosp mention to her family to speak to someone in discharge planning about telecare falls alerts.

raeray · 12/07/2016 21:41

Ahh clever Frank - I'm not an animal fan at all if I'm honest but the thought of him doing that to help his owner has bought a little tear to my eye!
Well done OP for trusting your instinct and calling police, you've saved your neighbour. Don't feel bad about the hour that's just one of those things. You sound a lovely neighbour Flowers

Scribblegirl · 12/07/2016 21:42

Well done you wonderful person Flowers

bigbluebus · 12/07/2016 21:43

Well done for being so alert to your neighbours movements and calling the police so soon. My DM once fell in the middle of the night (no idea what time) and lay on the floor unable to get up until lunchtime before she was found by a nurse who called to do a blood test and couldn't get in so alerted a neighbour who had a key. Thank goodness she was due a blood test that day.

Penfold007 · 12/07/2016 21:43

Neighbours like you are worth their weight in gold, well done. I hope she makes a speedy recovery and Frank enjoys his holiday with you, he's a super star dog.

starving · 12/07/2016 21:43

An hour really isn't that long. Some people wait a lot longer, days, weeks... before someone does something. Flowers for doing something, hopefully she recovers quickly.

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 12/07/2016 21:44

Well done OP and super well done Frank.

NervousRider · 12/07/2016 21:44

Not much consolation but some poor folk have laid for many many hours before being discovered so the fact that you noticed so promptly is commendable.

She is lucky to have you as a neighbour. Just be cautious with how much you want to help and do for her when she gets out of hospital as it can quickly escalate

Catzpyjamas · 12/07/2016 21:45

Well done Callisto and Frank !
With different, less caring neighbours, she would have been there for an awful lot longer. You did a very good thing, OP.

talllikejerryhall · 12/07/2016 21:45

How lucky she is to have a neighbour like you Flowers

sparechange · 12/07/2016 21:47

Please don't beat yourself up, OP
You've done amazingly to respond so quickly to something out of the ordinary that many others would have overlooked

An hour isn't long. My granny fell over and pressed her pendant alarm, and it took several hours to get to her by the time they'd tracked down the keyholder and let themselves in

Well done you, and well done Frank for raising the alarm. A proper Lassie job, there

Absentmindedwoman · 12/07/2016 21:47

You were great, you did all you could! I hope you feel better soon.

DrRanjsRightEyebrow · 12/07/2016 21:48

It would have been awful if she didn't have a caring neighbour like yourself. Well done OP. And a juicy bone for that loyal Frank.

HelloCanYouHearMe · 12/07/2016 21:48

Dont feel bad OP - you did the right thing. Flowers

peppercold · 12/07/2016 21:50

Really lovely to hear O.P glad she has you next door and of course Frank Flowers

Palomb · 12/07/2016 21:50

You are a wonderful person :) well done

TheEmmaDilemma · 12/07/2016 21:51

Well done OP, and Frank. Many people would have done nothing.

BengalCatMum · 12/07/2016 21:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EarthboundMisfit · 12/07/2016 21:53

You've possibly saved her life.

Lilly948204 · 12/07/2016 21:54

Aww I'm glad you called them, a lot of people wouldn't have bothered. What a lovely dog to try and get help.

LIZS · 12/07/2016 21:55

She is lucky to have a neighbour as interested and observant as you. I would hope someone would look out for dm in the same way. Her neighbour was found dead in her chair , alone :(

londonrach · 12/07/2016 21:55

Well done frank and op. An hour may sound a long time but sadly its not. Hopefully speedy recovery to your neighbour x

Chattymummyhere · 12/07/2016 21:55

You did fine some people wouldn't of called.

Grandad fella getting into bed and wasn't found until he didn't answer his phone the following morning so he spent all night on the floor with no covers or anything.

Hope she's fine after being checked out