As we were passing: Contact

The elderly and housebound often go days without seeing another soul. Localnet should ensure that everyone in the neighbourhood is spoken to at least daily.

This section discusses:

Existing Provision

What

Here we are not discussing medical treatment (though that is also a localnet service). We are simply talking about seeing an individual and making sure they are fine and have everything they need. This primarily applies to the elderly and infirm - especially those living alone, for whom a fall could life-threatening if they are unable to get help in short order.

How

In the few parts of the country where true local spirit struggles on, neighbours look out for each other and regularly pop-in on the vulnerable members of their community. In most areas, though, only care workers take the trouble to visit those they look after - and they cannot get round everyone who could do with daily contact.

Panic buttons and emergency alarm systems go a long way towards ensuring the safety of the elderly. These are getting ever more sophisticated and some can even detect and flag problems when their wearer is unconscious. However, these are intended for emergencies. They do not help with less urgent or progressive problems or those for which their wearer is too reticent to ask for help.

Volume and Frequency

Many people go for many days without any contact whatsoever. There are many horror stories of people having died and not being found for months afterwards, with huge piles of post on the mat- sometimes just a few feet away from them.

Financial Model

Dedicated visits by social workers or health care professionals are expensive and expanding these to many more people is probably not viable in the current climate.

Providers

As well as council health and social workers, this role is also performed by a number of volunteers from various charities and - very importantly - by good natured, caring neighbours and delivery staff who are not being paid to do so but will “keep an eye out” for those on their rounds.

Trends

An ageing population combined with ever tighter government budgets is not a promising combination. As many of us spend more time online and less actually talking to people so more and more people are left isolated from one week to the next.

With Localnet

What

Although there is no need to wait in for a localnet delivery, the fact that deliveries and collections occur throughout the day means that localnet staff will make contact with the residents on their round at least once every few days.

How

Localnet staff should make deliberate attempts to contact residents - or at least to be confident they are still well. If the previous day's deliveries have not been put away or there is no rubbish in the bin, these are clues that all may not be well - and someone should attempt to make contact immediately or on the next delivery round.

This “light touch” care can be fitted around the busy times of day as needed. If a resident is seen or spoken to on the morning round as their post is being delivered, a single button press can indicate to the later delivery rounds that the householder is OK today and not to go out of their way to contact them. If, by the time of the last round, they still haven't been seen then staff should make an effort to check on them. This could be by email or phone but for the most frail and elderly there is no substitute for “popping round” to see them on the way past.

Volume and Frequency

The frequency and level of effort that should be put in trying to make contact with someone will vary according to their condition and personal preferences.

Financial Model

This service should not be designed to make a profit, Yes, it will add time to some delivery rounds but by making those rounds more pleasant and less repetitive it should be quite rewarding for the staff doing it.

Providers

Not every member of the localnet staff is going to get on well with every frail or housebound resident. Age, gender, interests and attitude need to be taken into account in deciding who does this, how frequently and for which residents.

Evolution

It may prove possible and, more importantly, economically and environmentally sensible for the localnet vans to be routed around the neighbourhood at certain times of day in such a way as to take care workers and health workers from one patient to the next.

 

Comparison

The table below assesses the impact of localnet on this service on a scale of -5 to +5 (details here)

  Existing services As part of localnet Score
Scope Ad hoc and declining for many. Care services not as frequent as desirable for others. Anyone who would benefit from daily contact should be able to get it. +2
Frequency Variable. Many can go weeks without contact. Daily where needed and wanted. +2  
Security Good where full time staff used. Variable with neighbours and ad hoc arrangements. Good - localnet staff vetted and known to the residents. +1
Convenience Professionals often have to travel quite a distance. Localnet van will have been passing anyway. +1
Cost Expensive to travel just to make contact. A minute or two per resident. +3
Quality Variable. More consistent. Small number of people on each round get to know local residents. +2
Carbon Footprint
Time
Resources Used
Reuse & Recycling
Landfill Waste
Other Differentiators

Services