Home Alone - Freedom or Death?

Home Alone - Freedom or Death?

The recent death of an elderly man is a warning to New Zealanders to take action to avoid social isolation and such deaths happening on a wider scale, says St John.

The body of Pehi Joseph, 67, was recently found in his flat in Johnsonville, seven weeks after he died.

A new report called Home Alone (www.wrvs.org.uk) shows that the number of socially isolated older people in the UK will increase by a third to 2.2million in the by 2021.

Also in the UK, 32 older people die alone and unnoticed in their homes every day - the equivalent of 12,000 a year. ( www.wrvs.org.uk ) New Zealand could be heading down the same track if current trends toward independence and freedom continue, say St John care providers.

St John has two options to help freedom-loving elderly avoid the dark side of remaining independent in their homes:

1. St John Caring Caller. A seven-day-a-week telephone friendship line. Trained volunteers phone for a chat. The service follows up with a home safety check should the callee repeatedly not answer the phone.

2 . St John Lifelink ä Medical Alarm.This personal medical alarm service is aimed at people who live alone or who have a medical condition that could require urgent assistance at any time. No matter where they are in their home, or out in the garden, the wearer can give one touch of a button on their pendant or wristband to conect the alarm to the St John Ambulance Communications Centre.

ENDS

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