Great Aunt's HA does not think this is an emergency!

PasturesNew

They're used to the dark - hardly had lighting when they were growing up - and used to the war years with all the blackouts.

Important, but not an emergency.

pmlindyloo

McKneff wrote: »

Sorry, but I doubt there are many 89 year olds going out in the dark alone to be honest.

Since it is dark at about 4pm I do not think it at all unreasonable for elderly people to be visiting neighbours, particularly at this time of the year.


I do think this is a high priority because of the estate consisting of elderly people.


My elderly mother actually received compensation for breaking her ankle because of the lack of appropriate lighting where she lived. Therefore I do think it is important that the call to the HA is recorded (most are) reporting this with a follow up written request detailing the problem and the timing of the request to the HA, to whom they spoke and the response.


God forbid that someone had a nasty fall because of a failure to act.

john_white

Use a torch?

ACG

I mean this with no malice but how many 89 year olds are going to be going out past 4-5pm anyway?

My great gran passed away at 86. She was out and about more than i am now, but she was always back home before it went dark, partly because it became colder, partly for security and partly because eye site isnt as good and bumps/dips can be missed even with the lights on.

I dont see this as an emergency. An emergency is something which is happening now, what you are saying is that something COULD happen - there is a difference.

Building_Surveyor

An elderly person with no outside light, an inconvenience yes but put it into context with people who have no heating or hot water in this extreme weather. I know which one I'd prioritise if I were a HA.

Unfortunately these organisations do not have an infinite amount of resources.

shegirl

It's not an emergency.If anyone needs to go out they can use a torch.

No heating and hot water is an emergency.External lights not working is not.

spacey2012

Call them back, say they have one hour to offer a solution or the next phone call will be to a reporter and photographer from the local paper.

StuC75

Hope the Photographer has a flash camera...

The HA may have other more pressing requests to deal with at the moment..

Vintageryan

spacey2012 wrote: »

Call them back, say they have one hour to offer a solution or the next phone call will be to a reporter and photographer from the local paper.

Would a local paper really find this news worthy?


I would think the local HA has like most companies this week quite a few people taking holiday over the Christmas break, how far up would you place this on the grand scheme of things?


The OP mentioned the lamps were small could the op not replace a few bulbs?

DaftyDuck

Do you not think that, with the current storms, there may be rather more pressing emergencies and rather limited staff?

I agree it needs repairing, I'd agree time is of the essence, but I'd rather hope that priority is given to roofing matters, loss of power to a building, loss of water, loss of heating, flooding, flying debris.... etc ad nauseam