Buying present for 102 yr old!?

emylou

Thank you for all the replies so far, I have been trying to catch the carers so I can ask for their suggestions, but with no luck so far. I will definitely pop round in the next few days and either Christmas or Boxing Day but am out for dinner so wont be able to take her some food (plus I'm a rubbish cook!), will take her some biscuits to have with a cuppa. Still not fully decided on the gift yet- but hopefully chatting with the carers will help. Bit concerned she wont hear me when I go round and knock though as she quite often doesn't turn her hearing aid on (I knocked yesterday to see if she needed anything cos I was venturing to the shops in the snow but she didn't answer).

claire123c

emylou wrote: »

I live in falts & one of my neighbours is a 102 yr old woman, she has no family (I think a niece/great-neice who lives in Scotland tho) so she only has visitors from carers throughout the day. I only really come into contact with her when she's gone wandering e.g. 2.45am this morning, when I heard her calling for help from outside!!

I'd like to buy her a gift for Christmas seeing as she has no family, was thinking maybe a soft dressing gown or new slippers, not sure what chocolates/biscuits she likes. She does ask for whisky but not sure I'd feel comfortable buying her some!?

Any ideas? And do you think it's weird (others will think it's weird) if I buy her a present? I have lived here 4 years so been called into her flat a number of times and also by her carers sometimes for information, etc.
Thanks

Hi,

I think it's lovely that you want to include her in your gift giving plans and agree a warm dressing gown would be lovely.

However, what about simply having her round for tea and biscuits, or even a vist on Christmas Day? I think time spent with her would be appreciated.


My main point for posting was to PLEASE inform her carers, social services or any other professional you know has contact. (Social Services can be made aware by a phone call to them just out of concern).

Having worked with elderly people, including dementia sufferers it could be that her heath/mental health is declining. Imagine if she went wandering outside in this weather??

You sound like a caring person and I don't mean to burdern you with emotional guilt but the warndering really could be a sign that she should be in more suitable accommodation.

Claire x

claire123c

emylou wrote: »

Thank you for all the replies so far, I have been trying to catch the carers so I can ask for their suggestions, but with no luck so far. I will definitely pop round in the next few days and either Christmas or Boxing Day but am out for dinner so wont be able to take her some food (plus I'm a rubbish cook!), will take her some biscuits to have with a cuppa. Still not fully decided on the gift yet- but hopefully chatting with the carers will help. Bit concerned she wont hear me when I go round and knock though as she quite often doesn't turn her hearing aid on (I knocked yesterday to see if she needed anything cos I was venturing to the shops in the snow but she didn't answer).

Sorry I posted before reading the second page!

I honestly think the visit would be lovely, and maybe some flowers as another poster has suggested.

And again, please report the wandering as soon as possible.

Claire x

emylou

claire123c wrote: »

And again, please report the wandering as soon as possible.

Claire x

Each time I have had to help her I have left a note in her file in living room for her carers to see. I have called the agency and also the local civic centre who told me they would be calling social services. Is there anything else I can do?
As I said, I have popped round during the day too when the carers are not there too but she doesn't hear me knocking

laurenjs88

emylou wrote: »

Each time I have had to help her I have left a note in her file in living room for her carers to see. I have called the agency and also the local civic centre who told me they would be calling social services. Is there anything else I can do?
As I said, I have popped round during the day too when the carers are not there too but she doesn't hear me knocking

Call SS yourself, The co-ordinators struggle to get SW to do anything without the SU consent, and as we are a 3rd party we tend to get bits of information missed and it makes our job so much harder!

If you don't know the number the care agency can give you it, Does she go to daycare at all? I've found the people that run the centre's very helpful in the past.

mumslave

how will she be spending christmas? perhaps the nicest thing you could do for her is spend some time with her on christmas day if you can spare some. Does she like books? If she has bad eye sight, perhaps some audio books to listen to?

claire123c

emylou wrote: »

Each time I have had to help her I have left a note in her file in living room for her carers to see. I have called the agency and also the local civic centre who told me they would be calling social services. Is there anything else I can do?
As I said, I have popped round during the day too when the carers are not there too but she doesn't hear me knocking

I can imagine this is upsetting for you. You could contact your social services department and ask to report a cause for concern. They wouldn't disclose anything to you but they would (or should!) look her up on the systems, and may arrange a visit. From previous experience I would make quite a fuss and be very clear that you worry for her safety and need them to pay a visit. Throw in the words 'vulnerable' 'safeguarding' and 'cause for concern'- it is a sad fact but social services tend (in my experience) not to act unless they HAVE to.


Does she have any other nurses/occupational/speech therapists visiting at all?

If you have been leaving a note for the carers maybe leave your phone number and stress the worry you have- even if they are busy and only pop in and out to see her, a worried note left out for them could incite a phone call at least.

Please don't take on the worry too much, but you sound like you're a thoughtful neighbour and she is lucky you are concerned.