Elderly often left alone 'for weeks and weeks' - Age Concern

Age Concern says it is heartbreaking to hear of another case where an elderly woman's body was found long after she died.

Police recovered the 85-year-old's body on Friday morning from her home on Kelvin Rd in Remuera, Auckland.

A spokesperson says the death is not suspicious, but confirmed the body had been there for some time.

The coroner is now investigating.

Witnesses have told Newshub police had to break into the house. They say the woman's letterbox was overflowing and her car had been parked in her driveway for up to three weeks.

Age Concern chief executive Simon Templeton says the case is a tragic reminder to keep in regular contact with the elderly.

"It can just be a brief phone call, a quick 'How are things going today?' so that people aren't left for weeks and weeks on end. We know that's not an uncommon scenario unfortunately."

Mr Templeton says that neighbours also have an important role to play.

"We know for old people there is a real sense of security from just knowing your neighbours names, and then it's just about looking out for signs - a car parked in a driveway without being moved, or mail not being collected."

He adds that personal alarms can be lifesavers.

"If there are risks around older people, such as around mobility, then personal alarms are a really good idea to alert someone that perhaps you've had a fall or something is happening."

Newshub.