Police superintendent wants people to spend more time with older folks
A NSW police superintendent has made an impassioned plea to the public to spend more time with the older people in our communities after officers found an elderly couple dead in their home.
Superintendent Dave Darcy has asked people to reach out to the elderly in the community instead of spending time on Facebook.
He wrote:
LIFE IS A TEAM GAME. ELDERLY COUPLE FOUND DECEASED IN PALM BEACH.
A fiercely independent elderly couple have been found dead in their home at Palm Beach earlier today. Both in their eighties, the husband was the carer for his life long partner who was blind and had other disabilities. The couple consistently refused aged care assistance and medical support but were coping with their challenges. Closest next of kin lived overseas.
Although yet to be confirmed by autopsies, we believe the husband has passed away naturally, unfortunately leaving the wife with no means of support. She has subsequently died due to a lack of care.
Whilst we believe there are no suspicious circumstances this is an opportunity to reflect on this tragedy and think about our elderly parents and neighbours and what we can do as a community and as individuals to prevent a recurrence of this terrible event.
If you are concerned about a neighbour who you haven't seen, knock on their door or give us a ring. We are more than happy to check on the welfare of the elderly.
You can also contact the Elder Abuse Hotline Ph: 1800-628221 if you feel someone isn't getting the appropriate level of care.
So just for twenty minutes, time to put down those iphones and ipads, and hold back the selfies and making friends with people you don't know, and have a real conversation with your elderly neighbour who is living a simple life devoid of all electronic gadgets that contribute little to real community cohesion.
LIfe is a Team Game.
What do you think of his plea? Do you spend enough time with the people in your community? Do you think people could spend more time with you? How do you think we can make this happen more often?
Of course, the government (uncivilized it seems) has failed us yet again. The "top cop" failed to consult with "his masters" with the result being an (in) - "effective social services department". WW2 - VE Day was 1945, Thatcher the 80's/90's and Trump currently in our face.
Social Service Departments are largely understaffed and grossly overworked, the burden increases exponentially with population growth, regardless of how that is achieved.
Anony, I'd implore you to spare a lousy gram of empathy - I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here - to just consider what it is that Supt Darcy is suggesting. When we consider that ultimately, in circumstance such as this, it is generally the Police - Supt Darcy's Command personnel (and others) - that have to confront these gruesome and traumatic scenes.
As you've very magnanimously laid the blame (and therefore the responsibilty - totally unfairly in my opinion); squarely in everyone else's quarter, are we to presume that you personally are reluctant to reach out to assist your fellow man ? I may well have misunderstood the Supt's appeal however, I've a distinct feeling his response was/is far more compassionately and considerately presented than is your blame game response.