[Margaret Pilkington]

Our Street is full of retired people.....most of us in reasonable health......we support one another. We car share, we do errands for one another and we watch out for property when any of us is away. My hubby also shops for a couple of old folk who live in Ossy.

One of the things that has led to the decline of caring for the elderly is the nuclear family.
Once upon a time mothers and fathers lived in the same street as their married kids......grandparents too, so it was easier. Grandparents often provided child care if mother went out to work......these days everyone seems to go out to work and the extended family support system is long gone.

In the case of the lady who starved to death.....neighbours say that they offered assistance but it was rejected.......now if you offer help a couple of times and it is turned down then you would be justified in perhaps not offering again. The Council also tried to gain access to put a letterbox on for this lady and she denied the workmen access to her home (allegedly).