Who should i tell?

[Beauregard]

There is a very frail stooped elderly lady that i often see out in my town and she is so unsteady that when she walks(if you can call it that)she has to grab onto walls or shop windows to steady herself.I worry that she will have an accident or worse be attacked and she is very vunerable as she always has a handbag.Who can i report this to?surely she cant have any close family nearby-they wouldnt allow this would they?I called to her once and asked if she was ok but she didn't reply,i dont want to scare her or offend her by approaching her.What shall i do?

My gran is like that, she had to give up her car a while back. This short walk to the shop may be this ladys last remaining bit of independance. I know it's all my gran has left, she has just had 2 op's and is on a zimmer frame..but if we so much as suggested she needed help or permission to go to the shops she's skin us

I think it's nice of you to be concerned though :)

Difficult to say without first hand experience of what you describe but I think you could be being a little presumptious (in a good intentioned way of course).

People get old and frail but they may wish to hold onto their independence and therefore dignity at all costs - for better or for worse.

It seems ageist to assume they are in need of help unless they actually have a fall or something.

I would try again at making a personal enquiry as to whether they need any help but you've got to respect their independence.

I worked with the elderly for 11 years and i really feel she needs help.She looks like she can barely stand !

Part of me says I'd be more worried if she wasn't making it out of the house.

I know several very elderly an infirm people (all women) who made it out at least a few times a week, very unsteadily, very slowly, but did so for sake of keeping their sanity. They managed this right up until the week they died without coming a cropper.

I really don't know what to suggest beyond trying again to talk to her.

I'd leave her. she might be like my gran!! She loves getting to the shop for her daily paper, and she is in no hurry home. I admire your concern, but I'm sure if this lady is as frail as you fear then she will have home help or neighbours keeping an eye out :)

Maybe have a chat with age concern becuase they may give you some practical advice on what to do and who you may be able to talk to?

My mother's next door neighbour is the DESPAIR of her relatives. This sounds just like her! She was brought back home by the police at 1am, as she was found 'going for a walk'.

I would try speaking to her, not necessarily showing any concern for her, but just be 'neighbourly'. She might welcome it, and you might get to find out a bit about her family.