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A VOLUNTEER WORKER who has assisted the elderly for decades has urged the public to watch out for their neighbours after the body of a pensioner lay undiscovered in a house on the north side of Cork city for at least seven months.
The body of the man was found in a house in the city last week. His remains were taken to Cork University Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The death is not being treated as suspicious and an inquest is expected to be heard later this year in relation to the tragic incident.
The pensioner was found dead in his house after a concerned person called to his home as he hadn’t been seen in some time.
Paddy O’Brien, a well-known campaigner for the elderly, has called on communities to be vigilant in terms of checking up on vulnerable neighbours.
“We must be more vigilant. That is the word I am going to use continuously in relation to care of the aged and to avoid death,” O’Brien said.
“It is very sad for a person to die alone in a house. It is very important that elderly people, especially those living alone, should have their own personal alarm system. It is actually free of charge for 12 months.”
It is understood that the man who passed away was well-liked in the area but kept to himself. His funeral arrangements are to be finalised in the coming days.
Falling through the cracks
Last May the body of a man in his seventies was found in an apartment in Cork city. It is understood his remains lay undiscovered in the apartment for up to six months. He died from natural causes and his death was treated as a tragedy.
Following the death earlier this year Paddy O’Brien called for visiting committees to be set up for elderly people who are falling through the cracks.
Meanwhile, pensioners who feel vulnerable in their homes are urged to avail of support services. The Senior Helpline is a free confidential helpline for the elderly.
Senior Line is a programme of the not-for-profit agency, Third Age. Its CEO Aine Brady says there are approximately 160,000 people aged 65+ living alone in Ireland.
She insists the telephone can be a “lifeline” to many senior citizens.
It offers contact, conversation and companionship. Volunteers are trained to listen empathetically to each call, and to give each caller the time they need to talk through any problems.
Lines are open every day from 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year, including Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.
Senior Line’s Freefone number is 1800 80 45 91.
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That’s so so sad, my heart goes out to that man, I hope he’s at peace.
A relative of mine lived in sheltered housing in London. He had his own apartment, every room had an alarm cord and every morning a manager knocked on his door to check on him. If he did not answer they then entered the apartment to see if was he ok or needed help.
One morning he did not answer and they found him. He had a heart attack and even though he was only yards from the cord he must have died instantly because he also had his phone on him. It was a comfort though to know that he was found quickly because a good system was in place.
It is very sad when a person dies alone and no one misses them.
It’s so extremely sad to think that an elderly man could lay dead for 7 months and not be missed by anyone. It’s heartbreaking. May he rest in peace.
@Gigi: the worst about it is, where he lived was in a terrace of houses. Mind boggling how he wasn’t missed
Poor man..RIP…..so sad….WHY is this happening to our elderly….
@Jacqui Curtis-owens: because the government doesn’t care about anyone especially the elderly
@Craig Clancy: Would you stop Government… families don’t care , use them as an ATM until the money runs out, Families in Asia sometimes have four generation under one roof, we kick them out when they become a burden
@Craig Clancy:
I would not be blaming the Government , as human beings we should all be looking out for our vulnerable neighbors. During the snow where I live neighbors were calling in to people who live on their own , doing a bit of shopping for them and making sure that they had enough fuel to keep warm.
@Craig Clancy:
What has the government got to do with it here?
Neighbours, family (if any) and friends surely have some responsibilities – even if the poor man was some sort of recluse.
It may not be as heartbreaking as people think. Some people like solitude and don’t want people checking on them. Don’t know how I will feel later on but I might not like neighbours checking on me.
@Craic_a_tower: I’m inclined to agree. I know that some people can get lonely on their own, and would seemingly put up with anything rather than live alone. On the other hand, we have plenty of citizens who don’t need or want people calling into them all the time as if no one has anything better to do than entertain random visitors who want to stay all evening. It’s such a relief to just go home in peace.
42 years ago my father encountered many elderly people who had suffered the same fate. He worked tirelessly until his own untimely death in 1990 to change and educate society. Sadly it’s every bit as bad today as it was way back then. May the gentleman Rest In Peace.
Incredibly sad, hope people will learn from this. 5 minutes to check on elderly neighbours every few days is not much to ask for. Hopefully someone would return favour when we’re elderly
Ironic to see daft.ie as an ads within this terrible news.
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