Elderly at risk as freeze continues
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Temperatures as low as -13C were recorded in the Moyle area last week as the district continues to shiver in Arctic conditions.
Some footpaths are frozen and untreated roads remain treacherous for rural dwellers.
Elderly people are especially vulnerable in the wintry conditions with many unable to leave their homes.
Kate Elliott of Good Morning Ballycastle, a telephone care service for isolated and vulnerable people, said many people needed help during this time.
She said: "Many of the people we ring are very much tied to their homes and are depending on friends and neighbours to get groceries or light their fire for heat.
“Some of them have not left their homes since before Christmas and we had people crying down the phone to us because no-one can get to them."
Fear of falling and suffering serious injury is a big worry for the elderly and three people have already reported to Kate that they have slipped outside.
“One of them fell putting out his bin and we are urging people not to try and do this but to ask the council to go up to the house to get the bin," said Kate. One elderly woman whose house is up a long lane did not have any callers for ten days and her home help was only able to reach her by travelling in a tractor.
Kate said it is important for people to remember that even though main roads are clear, untreated roads remain virtually unpassable.
Neighbours
She said neighbours of elderly people should call on them to check if they are OK or if they need anything.
Through the telephone call service, Good Morning Ballycastle was able to contact the Housing Executive about one person's heating problems while the doctor was called for another.
Kate said: "We are more of a be-friending service but we do what we can to help and would never see anyone stuck."
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