Those of us who have survived into our seventies with a living partner know how lucky we are. Quite apart from any trivial considerations such as having one another’s company, we know that if something were to happen to either of us, the other would be there to pick up the pieces or at least phone for help. But what about those who live alone? How would they cope in an emergency? If they were seriously incapacitated, how long would it be before anyone even knew they needed help?
The Pastoral Working Party of the PCC has been addressing these concerns recently, to see whether there is anything we could do as a parish community to provide some sort of safety net for those who might want it. At St Mary the Virgin Primrose Hill, they have established a Guild of Befrienders to support older members living alone, but we were concerned that the relative formality of such arrangements might appear overly intrusive. We are aware that many (but perhaps not all) of our older members are already in close touch with others who look out for them and would be likely to know quite quickly if they had had an accident or been taken ill. However, some whom we have consulted have indicated that they would find it helpful to have a checklist of the information which might be needed in an emergency, either for themselves or for someone they look out for. So we have drawn up a note of the facts (eg doctor, keyholder, next of kin etc) most commonly needed in such circumstances, which it may be difficult, distressing or time-consuming to discover in a hurry if they are not already written down.
If you live on your own, or if you are concerned for someone else in that situation, and would like advice about the information which should be held by someone you trust (with one copy held in the parish safe), please get in touch with any member of the Pastoral WP, who will support you in making suitable arrangements. The members are: Handley Stevens (Chair), Nicholas Braimbridge, Sheena Ginnings, Scott Lupasko, Nicki Siddall, Emma Smith and Nicholas White. If you don’t know any of us, the Parish Office (7794 5808) will be pleased to put you in touch. Any approach and any such information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
What if . . . . . ?
Handley Stevens