IWAS saddened to read your report about the cowboy workmen who persuaded an older couple to pay £1,000 for incomplete, shoddy work on their driveway.
The fact that the criminals then taunted the couple over the phone makes the whole incident even more despicable.
Such cruel attacks on our older population in their own homes are unacceptable by any standard.
When dealing with an unexpected visitor, Help the Aged urges older people to make sure all outer doors are locked and to always put the door chain on and look out of the window or spy hole to see who is calling before opening the door.
Always ask for proof of identification and do not be afraid to phone the company or organisation the caller says they are from to check their validity (obtaining the number from a separate source, rather than taking it from the proffered ID card).
Genuine callers will not mind waiting for you to do that.
Do not let anyone enter your home until you are completely satisfied that the reason for calling is legitimate.
Help the Aged provides SeniorLink -- its Immediate Response Service -- to over 7,000 older people across the country. SeniorLink is designed to bring peace of mind to older people, helping them to continue to lead an independent life in their own home.
At the press of a button, the client is immediately connected to the SeniorLink response centre, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, to answer any need, whether they require emergency assistance, need reassurance or simply want to chat.
SeniorLink can be purchased, and there are a number of free units available to people meeting charitable criteria. A monitoring and maintenance fee of £1.50 per week applies for all unit holders.
Anyone interested in finding out more, or wishing to apply for SeniorLink, should call 01255 473999 for an application pack.
It could be of great benefit to older readers who are worried about maintaining their independence and personal safety at home.
Lysa Ralph
National senior safety manager
Help the Aged
207-221 Pentonville Road
London N1 9UZ
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