Personal networks beat agencies every time!
What is an OSSATA & why do we need one?
April 23, 2006Rare bird discovery in Victoria’s NE Chiltern-Rutherglen district
April 27, 2006Independent eighty year olds look after each other
Tess, recently a widow, is two months shy of 88. Her neighbour to the left, John, lost his wife just a few years ago. He is also eighty-odd. Across the road lives Anna – somewhere in her early eighties. All are living independently with their adult children ‘keeping an eye on them’.
Yesterday the eighty year old’s network swung into action – a great relief for their children!
What happened?
Anna noticed Tess’s morning paper was still in the drive and her rubbish bins had not been taken in – unusual. Very apologetically she rang one of Tess’s daughters – she really didn’t want to ‘interfere’. The son-in-law answered, immediately got in touch with his wife who, though concerned, guessed at what had happened, and everything was sorted out in 5 minutes.
Tess had gone off for a tour of the Comm. Games activities with the younger daughter and had stayed overnight. It crossed Tess’s mind that she hadn’t mentioned to anyone the possibility of overnighting, but really didn’t think anyone would notice! WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!
It turns out they all know an amazing about each other’s lives though they don’t actually ‘socialise’. They certainly know enough to recognise family members and their cars and have enough ‘go’ as Anna demonstrated, to act if in doubt – Well done Anna!
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