Charities team up to aid elderly in cold weather

The Society of St Vincent de Paul and Age Action have teamed up to help older people who may be experiencing serious difficulties as a result of the prolonged cold weather.

Volunteers from both charities are to be deployed to contact older people who are house-bound by the freezing conditions and, without any visitors, may be running out of food, medical and fuel supplies.

Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said: "As organisations working with older people we are aware of the scale of the problem facing older people, especially those who live alone and do not have family, or who may be living in remote areas.

"We are urging older people who have not received visits and who are running out of urgent supplies to contact us so that we can get a volunteer out to them. It is important to raise the alarm before your conditions deteriorate and you may not be able to raise the alarm."

Those who are experiencing problems with their health should contact their local health centre.

If they do not know the number of their local centre they can contact a HSE information officer at 1850 24 1850 who can provide it.

Meanwhile, Age Action is continuing to urge the public to visit local people in their locality, especially those who live alone or may be socially isolated.

“With the bitterly cold weather due to continue for at least another week we are in a race against the clock to reach those may be running out of vital supplies,” Mr Timmins said.

“This is a national crisis which can be resolved by people being good neighbours.”

Any older person who does not have regular visitors and is running out of food, fuel or medicine should contact the Society of St Vincent de Paul at 01-8386990 or Age Action at 01-4756989.

Both lines operate 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The Age Action line will also be manned tomorrow (Saturday) from 9am to 6pm.