ALONE urges caution and not to risk slips & falls
PRESS RELEASE
Charity asks communities to maintain contact with older living alone
Dublin, 4th March 2018 ALONE, the charity that supports older people to age at home, is urging older people to continue to take extra care and not take any unnecessary risks of slips or falls in the aftermath of Storm Emma. They also ask members of the public to check in on their elderly neighbours.
Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE commented, “In the aftermath of the heavy snow, older people may think the paths and roads are now safe to walk on. However, thawing snow and slush can be extremely dangerous and a major fall hazard. The most dangerous fracture is a hip fracture and sadly up to 24 per cent of patients who suffer a hip fracture die within a year, 33% are totally dependent or in a nursing home and only 40 per cent can live independently at home1.”
He continued, “We commend everyone for their terrific community spirit in looking out for older people over the past week and ask that you continue to remember your older neighbours living alone and to consider their needs, especially those with health issues, and those with limited mobility. A visit from a friend, family member, or neighbour to check on an older person’s heating levels, food supplies and security, as well as to simply offer some company, can make a huge difference.”
“ALONE is urging older people to take extra care and encouraging those who are concerned about their own wellbeing during this adverse weather to call for assistance and help if needed. ALONE has volunteers and staff ready to assist and advise on issues relating to food, heat, or medication.”
ALONE’s phone line (01) 679 1032 is open 9am to 9pm, during the continuing extreme weather conditions.
ALONE would like to thank staff, volunteers and supporters across the country for their continued hard work in the ongoing challenging weather conditions. A team of 60 made up of staff and volunteers were on call since Thursday. Phone contact was made with 1,000 older people to check they were comfortable. Sixty older people contacted ALONE directly seeking support, and members of ALONE made 20 direct visits to older people to assist with heat, medication and food.
Further information, including advice and tips for older people in adverse weather conditions, can be found at www.alone.ie.
For those who have concerns about their own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of a vulnerable older person in the community, ALONE can be contacted on (01) 679 1032 or visit www.alone.ie.
ENDS
Note 1 : Source International Osteoporosis Foundation https://www.iofbonehealth.org/facts-statistics
About ALONE
Established in 1977, ALONE supports older people to age at home. ALONE works with those who have issues with loneliness and social isolation, lack of services, poor health, poverty, homelessness or housing. ALONE provides Support Coordination, Housing with Support, Befriending and Campaigning services to over 1,000 older people nationwide every week. ALONE’s services are quality approved and are delivered 365 days a year.
For more information contact:
Kathryn Byrne, Limelight Communications, kathryn.byrne@limelight.ie, 01 668 0600, 085 233 6033
Maree Rigney, Limelight Communications, maree.rigney@limelight.ie, 01 668 0600, 086 358 7153