How to help a very elderly neighbor

Submitted by PapillionPapa t3_zn73zc in washingtondc

I live next door to an apartment complex that seems fairly shoddy. One tenant is an 80+ year old man who has to use two crutches to walk down the stairs (no ramp). I see him trying to move his groceries by dangerously letting go of his crutches to pick them up, and the whole ordeal must take him hours.

I try to help out whenever I can, wheel his garbage cans out or bring his groceries in, but today he fell and hurt his hip and had to swing inside on one leg. (Not broken but I doubt he’s tell me otherwise)

I’ve been looking at any services that DCs Office of Aging offers, but this guy needs some serious help. His clothes are barely washed and I looked into his apartment really quick and it’s a borderline death trap.

I’m going to try to talk to him in the next day or so to see if he would want anyone, but I don’t think he even has a phone to contact anybody if something happened to him.

What can I do? I’m really scared this guy is going to get seriously hurt or die from an accident, but I don’t want to overstep my boundaries.

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DoesGiggyIsDead t1_j0fpebg wrote

Contact Iona Senior Services in Tenleytown. They have incredible resources and contacts. Prior to covid, I was a grocery store volunteer for an elderly couple. They would call me with their grocery list and I would deliver it to them. I also volunteered to help an elderly woman get her house organized/teach her how to use a computer/use Netflix/learn FaceTime. They find out what a senior needs and arrange a volunteer to help with it. They have a meals program as well.

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Optimal-Nose1092 t1_j0fc34y wrote

That's so sad to hear. The Office of the Aging is a good start. Start with a respectful conversation and offer your help. If he needs meals there are services that can deliver them, there are also services available to allow him to live independently. Thank you for caring.

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Estoril_BlueM3 t1_j0fdipe wrote

Respectful thoughts:

Try to ensure or ask if he is dry, clean, warm, dressed and knows where his next 3 meals are coming from. Look for inability to sit unaided and ask about any notable complaint. Watch for signs of poor circulation.

You have my best wish that your good acts come back to you.

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Surfer_Joe_875 t1_j0ga21l wrote

There are folks like this on every block in the older demographic neighborhoods. I helped an elderly man for years, and finally managed to get some distant family involved. There are no easy answers except to get sucked down the care wormhole, because they almost never are capable to make changes themselves. Sad situation.

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PapillionPapa OP t1_j0jtczj wrote

UPDATE: I talked to the Dept of Aging today and initially they were referring me to non emergency lines to do a health check. When I explained a little further I was transferred to Adult Protective Services and they took down a lot of information about him and everything that I witnessed with his living condition.

They’re going to review the case and will decide whether to send someone out to offer services, ultimately getting him the help he needs. While this isn’t a for sure thing, next time I see him I’m going to ask if he wants Meals of Wheels or any other assistance.

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CanaKitty t1_j0hol6z wrote

How is it legal to not have a ramp or something?! 🤯

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CandyCaneCrisp t1_j0jsanv wrote

Ramps are not required in most buildings built prior to the ADA.

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Downtown_Day_7223 t1_j0jg2b0 wrote

We Are Family is a local nonprofit that works with low income seniors. They might be able to point you in the right direction.

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CandyCaneCrisp t1_j0js1z5 wrote

He can get a free phone through SafeLink Wireless or another Lifeline Service. I am sure he qualifies.

https://www.safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/Web/www/default/index.html#!/newHome

Thank you for being a good neighbor to him.

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windnsalsa t1_j25qrdc wrote

DO NOT! DO NOT! DO NOT SUBSCRIBE WITH SAFELINK. You will spend countless hours over the phone. I don't know how it works, but they are doing something shady or scamming you in a way where they might be profiting from cancelling your account/service any given day without warning or legit reason and then having you re-enroll...I guess a way they make money from additional enrollment??? You will experience examples of the below and your service will be disrupted 100% for weeks:

--abrupt service cancellation--provide various lies from various rep on the reason for your cancellation e.g. 'we (Safelink) didn't cancel you. Your state's Lifeline Administrator Agency cancelled it'. LIES, LIES, LIES--phone is not whitelisted when in fact it is--it's automated menu navigation system will disconnect your on hold/transfer 95% of the times--etc...

SCAMMERS SCAMMERS SCAMMERS

YOU NEED TO REPORT TO: FCC, attorney general, state's Public Utilities Commission, BBB!!! I would think other similar Lifeline providers have similar atrocious schemes/support. Save Report them too! Save a complaint version to share in forums whenever you can. This is how the people fight back!

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CandyCaneCrisp t1_j25tikc wrote

I've had it for five years with no problems. Kaiser Permanente signed me up. You sound seriously crazy and you are completely ignorant of how the system works.

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windnsalsa t1_j279q66 wrote

sure, call me crazy or ignorant of how this government subsized system works. Sure WoMan. Yes, I was completely ignorant of such sleazy company cheating/scamming customers or providing very bad customer services. Either you are truly lucky person, in that case invest in some lottery tickets, or you are a lying SOB, working for or related to someone associated with Safelink. Why the heck would Kaiser sign up for you? You would have to submit proof of eligbility, sign and such. GTHOOH. Go do your research of the many complaints. Start helping people with the truth

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CandyCaneCrisp t1_j27ijcc wrote

You've been reported for spamming, misinformation, and harassment.

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