ELDERLY people living on the northside of Limerick city are receiving a cheerful Monday morning telephone call to check that they are well after the weekend This service, which is being provided by St Munchin’s Family Resource Centre was developed in direct response to the needs of older people in the community. Explaining the aim of the service, which operates on Mondays and Tuesdays between 11am and 12.30pm, Tracey Reddy, co-ordinator of older people’s services at the Resource Centre says:
“We contact people from all over the northside of the city and our aim is to offer a free, friendly telephone call to check that the older person is well after the weekend and to provide social contact to any older person in the community.”
Emphasising that the call is an important opportunity to offer services, support and information if and when required, Ms Reddy says:
“While many older people in our community have a lot of contact with family, neighbours and friends, for others contact can be limited so our friendly calls are very important to our local community particularly those who are confined to their homes.
“Sometimes our telephone call will be the only social one they get. The calls can also serve as an early warning and prevent a problem becoming a crisis, allowing for additional supports to be provided.”
St Munchin’s Family Resource Centre is currently seeking to extend the service to a third day a week and welcome anyone living in the northside of the city who would like to receive a weekly call.
Calls are made by trained friendly staff and volunteers.
