Looking Out for Elderly Neighbours

Author: Sarah Clark

There's a thin line between being a nosey neighbour and being a concerned neighbour, but when you have elderly people living close to you, it's better to be overly concerned and make sure that everything is OK than it is to realise that an elderly neighbour may have been ill or injured in their home and unable to contact anyone.

If you're worried about overstepping boundaries while checking on elderly neighbours, you can clarify your position using our free Neighbour Rights Checker.

Many elderly people are very proud and don't like to ask anyone for help, so sometimes it's good to impose yourself on them slightly, pop round every now and again, get to know their habits, and allow them to start to trust you. This way, they will know that if they do need anything they can always ask you for help instead of trying to carry on when they are struggling.

How to Offer to Help Your Elderly Neighbours

The best course of action to begin with is to make yourself known to an elderly neighbour and ask if there's anything you can do to help. Getting older might mean that they have trouble carrying out simple jobs that you could manage with little effort, and they will really appreciate your offer.

Get To Know Your Neighbours first, by Introducing yourself. Perhaps invite your elderly neighbours in for a cup of coffee and use this opportunity to offer to give them a hand with household tasks and running errands - if they need it. It could be that little jobs like changing light bulbs, mowing their lawn, or a little bit of basic DIY need doing but they're struggling and don't want to admit it. The key is to not patronise your neighbours, but offer your help in a friendly way so that they feel comfortable approaching you when they need to.

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Offering to Run Errands for Elderly Neighbours

It doesn't take much to ask if your elderly neighbours need anything when you're doing a supermarket run. Offering to run errands gives you an opportunity to keep an eye on them. Calling in regularly on the off-chance they might need something means you can doing some grocery shopping or pick up their prescriptions for them, as well as checking they are OK. Offering help with lifts to doctors appointments, hairdressers or church is often appreciated, too.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

If You're Worried About Your Elderly Neighbour

A lot of elderly people tend to be creatures of habit, so if you notice a change in behaviour it's worth checking they are OK. If you haven't seen them about for a few days, or you've noticed the curtains are still drawn after they would normally be, just knock on the door and see if they need any help, or if they need any errands running. It is especially important to Look Out For Your Elderly Neighbours In Cold Weather, as they are more vulnerable. If you think that your elderly neighbour might need medical help, see if you can contact a family member or even emergency services if there's been a fall or they are ill.

If you think that your elderly neighbour might be struggling and could be in need of longer term help, the best thing to do is ask them how they are getting on. Although most people won't admit they are in trouble, you may be able to judge this for yourself and if so, try contacting your local council and asking if there's anyone who could visit. Your neighbours may be entitled to help with staying in their own home, home care and assistance with bills and benefits.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Neighbour Rights Checker lets you check your legal rights in any neighbour dispute. Takes 1 minute. Try it now →

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12 questions

Ask Problem Neighbours a Question

Patti 23/01/2020 at 6:05 pm

My parents are very independent but have gotten up in age. My father's health has declined quickly. My brother and I live out of state and are completely across the country. Our parents refuse to leave where they are living and we understand that.

Their next door neighbor has been very kind to do a "Wellness Check" and let us know if there are any concerns or issues. We have given him a key with our parents permission to be able to access their home if necessary.

This neighbor would like something in writing just in case something comes up and he is questioned as to why he is in their home. I appreciate his fore thought to protect himself and our parents.

Is there any template that we can follow to type up such a letter to have our parents sign? They have their mental capabilities and we have not been declared their guardians, so I understand that they would have to give permission and sign. Just wanted to make sure that I find a letter appropriate to this situation and not be giving away their rights or assets in any shape or form.

Thank you.

Jo 29/08/2019 at 4:02 pm

Helo I am feeling concerned about my neighbor's very seem very proud peoples but the last few weeks have gone down hill the lady is having problems with her memory and the man has got a very heavy body oroder most days people who walk past them are making very unkind comments about his oroder I would like to have a kind word with the couple the man can be quite out spoken and having knowing of them I have been on the same street as them for 17 yrs but I would like to help them if I can in any way but I dont want to up set them in any way

Mz 29/01/2019 at 5:44 pm

Iv noticed a neighbour who is elderly and lives alone wandering about all hours and has a dog who is never on a lead. He bangs on doors ect and shouts on at nothing he has dementia a think as I no signs due too family having it. He wears same clothes all the time and is un Kemp and dog poos on everyone's front lawns all the time and he never picks it up as he says its not his dog which he is his dog. He either will get hurt or hurt himself due to his mental health who can we contact as we have no idea really as he has no family and no one bothers him. Can anyone help

Trace 27/09/2018 at 2:39 pm

My neighbour needs help but he has mental health issues is old and stubberon, he needs help and is causing mess and infestations.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 16/06/2017 at 12:55 pm

Do you know any of the other neighbours? Have they seen him? Could you try knocking at his door? Could he have moved out? Speak to your local police on a non-emergency number if you are really concerned.

Worried 14/06/2017 at 1:56 am

ADVICE NEEDED: My husband and I have been walking our neighborhood for years. We have befriended some of our neighbors during these walks. One neighbor has had an abuse issue in the past when he allowed his daughter and family move in with him around two years ago. They had since moved out. However, last month we noticed that someone has moved into his house only this time we have not seen him for almost a month. We are so very worried because this is not the norm for him. He was always very active in his yard and always talked to us when he saw us. We are very concerned about his disappearance and worried that something has happened to him. We do not know what to do. Could you advise?

twinkles 14/01/2015 at 5:57 pm

hello there,i have a situation that has gone on for sxyears when i bought a flat as an ivestment,to rent out,for an income,it is located on the top floor of a lovely block of flats and i am supposed to be a part of a freeholders association,on it there is a managing director who live across from me,ever since i have rented it out,he has complained a bout everything,from,painting the door,leaving paints out side temporarily,to tenants leaving trainers or umbrellas out side the door,to parking,he drove my last tenants out,then,recently,the management companymdidnt inform me of an arrear that had built up,and he phoned up my residents,threatening,that he would put me in the hands of a debter,i tried to arrange to break the bill down,and he wouldent negotiate,and highlighted,this issue to all the residents,in current affair emails,dropping me in it,making my tenants feel unsafe,so i set up a standing order to to break the bill down,now he will not grant me a lease extension,every one else has got theres,making me wairt and wait,when the arrear has gone downmgradually,his solicitor told me,she cant do anything with out his permission,gradually he is black marking me in every way.now i want to sell up to get away,from him,hes using his status to make me look really bad,i couldent get a lone for christmas,i think hes twisted things to ,he demanded a cheque and i ssimply said could i break it down,i feel he is holding me to ranson,the arrear has come down significantly,how could i pay a bill if i was misinformed,please can you reccomend a regulsatory authority,that can question this?i have kept all the emails ect,i really want him investigated,first,by some one who regulates and deals with freeholder associations,i dont know what way to turn I hope you can advise me of the next level,regards wendy Hitchcox

ProblemNeighbours Editor 15/01/2015 at 2:07 pm

@Kel1206 - there's not much you can do if he has genuinely left his taps running, apart from maybe to suggest he sets an alarm when he starts filling a bath etc. If you think he does need help with turning the taps on and off, then there are devices that you can attach to taps to help you turn them off if you're suffering from arthritis etc. Perhaps a nice neighbourly gift?

Kel1206 14/01/2015 at 12:10 pm

Hi, my elderly neighbour who lives above me has just flooded my flat as he had left his taps running all night, he says he has trouble turning them off! I've only just moved in below him but I do not believe this is the first time this has happened as there was obvious signs of a previous leak. Who or where can I go to for advice to try and stop this happening again?

Karin 15/04/2013 at 9:02 pm

I have lived across the street from my neighbor (85 years old) for 20 years. Recently her husband passed away and I did help as much as I could when necessary. However, she has made me her main focus in her live and it is driving me crazy. I do visit her on regular basis and do her yard work. But she thinks, just because I live across the street, I must interact with her whenever she feels like it. And I also get phone calls about what she watched me doing in my yard during the day or why she didn't see me all day.
It is driving me crazy and starting to make me sick. I am a prisoner in my own house!
I love gardening, but have to check first if I am being "watched" . She has plenty of other people in her life and still gets around pretty good in her vehicle. Suggestions for her, like joining a church or other senior clubs to get involved, are not taken.
I have put her on my reject list on my phone, but am not sure how long that will work.
I have a family and a house to take care of and I work part time.
How can I tell her that I need my privacy?

gabby 05/02/2013 at 9:03 pm

Hi I used to work in caring , because of ill health i can not work paid anyway i can do volunteer work and i am at home in term time a lot my health is getting more under control but stil unable to work. but i would like to any elderly neighbour who needs shopping getting or washing up, ironing making beds anything all for free a couple of mornings a week.i am even willing to clean paths of snow while we still have thiis bad weather.

pat 31/08/2011 at 6:45 am

I am having to deal with my neighbor who is constantly thinking of ways to harass me I am 70 years old. I can't get legal aid as I have too much equity in my home, I am having to pay heavy bills or get into debt with a loan I do qualify otherwise as I am on penson etc. The neighbor does all his own writing to my solicitor and I have to pay for his return letters also ,is there no justice ?

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