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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

OP posts:

ohtheholidays · 12/07/2016 21:56

Don't feel awful OP what a lovely person and neighbour you are

Well done for checking on her and getting help so quicklyI bet your neghbour,Frank the Dog and the neighbours Daughter will be forever grateful to you.x

Mycatsabastard · 12/07/2016 21:57

Thank goodness you realised, poor lady but well done to you and bloody well done to Frank who deserves a nice treat.

I hope she's on the mend soon.

Our neighbour is 90. She's fiercely independent, despite me offering endlessly to take her to the shops in my car or to the doctors etc. She always said no. But she had a very serious fall recently, had one of the emergency pendants which she pressed and got taken to hospital. She has a very large family and they had to get her into a care home for two weeks while they sorted an electric chair and bed to help her get up and also sort out the front steps and put in extra handrails.

Since she's been home (looking a lot better) I have taken her to some appointments and got her some shopping (although her dd does her an online shop regularly now). She's wonderful fun, I love spending time with her but I feel sick knowing she was lying next door and none of us knew. (She doesn't have a Frank).

We should all be looking out for our neighbours. I'm lucky to live in a street where we all know each other and help each other out but our neighbour is very sound of mind (if not body) and was determined not to be a 'burden'. She's not and I've told her that.

I hopefully pick up my new convertible tomorrow and I shall take her for a spin :)

ratspeaker · 12/07/2016 21:57

Dont beat yourself up.
You have probably saved a life here.

It would have been easy for you to have dismissed the barking as a nuisance but you recognised it was something out of the ordinary and got help.

well done you

And extra kudos for looking after the dog.

Frenchmom · 12/07/2016 21:57

Well done, Captain Callisto. Don't beat yourself up about an hour. You hear of so many old people been found days after a fall and no-one bothered to do a thing.

liquidrevolution · 12/07/2016 21:58

Frank deserves a medal! Your poor neighbour. Thank goodness you were there. Please dont be too hard on yourself, you did an amazing thing today. for you and your neighbour.

PointlessUsername · 12/07/2016 21:59

Well done op. You are a fantastic neighbour

reader77 · 12/07/2016 22:00

Well done OP, you may well have saved her life.

diddl · 12/07/2016 22:02

What a fabulous dog!

vdbfamily · 12/07/2016 22:02

I suspect she will be persuaded by hospital to get herself a lifeline pendant to wear daily so if she falls she can just press a button and call for help. They usually ask for a named person to call initially so you could maybe volunteer for that if she has no friends nearby. She will be okay but if you had not reacted with your gut instinct the outcome for her would have been far more serious. The longer someone is on the floor the harder the recovery will be. Well done OP.

ExitPursuedByABear · 12/07/2016 22:03

Yeah for Frank. Good boy.

And you Callisto.

Wolfiefan · 12/07/2016 22:05

Well done for calling the police and getting help tonight. She's lucky you intervened. Thank goodness you weren't on holiday or out.
Just a thought. If she ever needs foster care or someone to walk the dog then try the Cinnamon Trust. They are a national charity with volunteers who can help.

Wolfiefan · 12/07/2016 22:06

Sorry. Realised that wasn't clear. I obviously meant foster care for the dog (eg if she's in hospital.) not for your neighbour herself.

junebirthdaygirl · 12/07/2016 22:07

You are such a lovely neighbour and what a super loyal dog. I wanted to mention about the bracelet as well. They are fantastic. She will hear a voice immediately reassuring here and then will then return to tell her that you ( or whoever volunteers) are on your way. Its a marvellous aid.

dublingirl48653 · 12/07/2016 22:10

you are a wonderful person
what a lovely thing to do

praying all will be ok and she has a speedy recovery

Original poster

CaptainCallisto · 12/07/2016 22:10

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling a lot calmer now. DH has just walked in from work with a bottle of wine and some chocolate for me, and a Jumbone for Frank. Who is curled up on the sofa with his head on my lap. He looks exhausted poor thing but I think it'll take him a while to settle.

He's a bloody hero. DS1 will be so excited that dogs are heroes in real life, not just in Paw Patrol! He's going to get spoilt rotten

OP posts:

SeemsLegit · 12/07/2016 22:10

An hour is speedy op you did exactly the right thing. Have a tear in my eye at old loyal Frank as well!

DartmoorDoughnut · 12/07/2016 22:11

captain you are a star, as is Frank!

mineofuselessinformation · 12/07/2016 22:12

Don't feel bad. You did exactly the right thing. How were you to know? And you got her help.
Fwiw, my DM fell a few years back and broke her hip. Somehow (I still have no idea how she managed it - probably sheer stubbornness) she managed to get herself back in the house and call me - otherwise she would have been laying there til my dad got home some hours later.
Well done you! Have a drink and try to relax.
I'm sure your neighbour is incredibly grateful for what you did.

ninenicknames · 12/07/2016 22:13

Captain you're one in a million as is Frank!!!

That story has made well up ....

You truly are fabulous

londonrach · 12/07/2016 22:13

Dam it op now im crying on your latest update!!!! Enjoy your wine and bone x

MrGrumpy01 · 12/07/2016 22:14

Wishing your neighbour a speedy recovery and well done for acting on your gut instinct.

My MIL's neighbours are very supportive and she has a pendant and it is reassuring to know that especially as she doesn't like to accept help from us

alphabook · 12/07/2016 22:15

She's very lucky to have a thoughtful neighbour like you. I work with older people and I've known people who've been on the floor for days and have almost died before anyone found them.

PurpleWithRed · 12/07/2016 22:16

You did pretty well to notice within an hour. For the future would you consider being her first contact if she gets a careline/falls button? Might be a load off her daughters mind.

GlitteryFluff · 12/07/2016 22:18

We'll done op

GlitteryFluff · 12/07/2016 22:18

well

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