Free telephones for some old people living alone are among the measures being offered to reassure the elderly about their security during the winter months. The "Reach Out" campaign, which takes place every year during winter, is aimed at alerting people to the needs of their elderly neighbours, according to Mr Michael Kelly, chief welfare officer of Dublin Corporation.
This year's campaign was launched yesterday by representatives of the three Dublin local authorities, the Eastern Health Board, the Department of Health, the Garda
???ana and a large number of voluntary bodies.
Waterford Glass is also sponsoring a scheme whereby people who cannot avail of the Government scheme can apply for a free telephone. This offer includes free telephone rental (available to all pensioners) and 20 free call units every two months.
Mr Kelly said that the "Reach Out" campaign was intended to reassure, not alarm, elderly people. The number of attacks on the elderly was far fewer than those on members of the public in general.
However, the effects of attacks on older people were likely to be much more severe, causing them to become more reclusive and, in some cases, forcing them into residential care.
There is already a Government scheme of cheaper telephone installation for old-age pensioners. Where pensioners are also receiving a living alone allowance, they can have a telephone installed for £50, roughly half-price.
The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, yesterday called on people to look out for their elderly neighbours while at the same time respecting their independence and privacy. "There are obvious things, like watching out for changes in well-established patterns of behaviour - are the curtains left closed, is the milk and post taken in off the front hallway or porch, has a window been left open for an unduly long period in inclement weather?"
Mr O'Donoghue said that gardai would be concentrating on preventing attacks on elderly people living alone during the winter months. Anybody who carried out such an attack would face the full rigours of the law.
Applications forms for free telephones can be obtained from Mr Michael Kelly at the Dublin Civic Offices or from health boards and public libraries throughout the Republic. The closing date for applications is November 15th.