A lonely death !

Once again an elderly person has been discovered deceased in rental accommodation - undiscovered for several weeks. This is not uncommon and there have been instances when tenants of Housing Commission accommodation have been reduced to a skeleton remains years after their death.
Such discoveries result in a flurry of activity designed to prevent such happenings. Unfortunately, we live in an age when few know the names of their neighbours - and even fewer take the trouble to see to their well being !
It is evident that protocols that should draw attention to a person who has dropped off the scene are failing. Elderly people on a pension are clients of Centrelink and that agency applies regular checks and balances to determine changes of income and circumstances.
Housing Commission tenants are subject to at least an annual inspection of the premises, and a deceased person obviously does not pay rent. It is inconceivable that the Commission would fail to make an inspection and ignore unpaid rent for years.
Then there is the matter of mail. It would be reasonable for the post person to issue a report if mail remains uncollected for a period of time.
All these factors, plus the scrutiny of those living nearby should be a factor in observing a change that might indicate that all was not well with a person living in the community. The problem is that these days the stress of modern living has removed the duty of care that once existed.
There are so many in the community who have outlived their relatives, or lost touch with their children or other loved ones - or who because of mental illness have become withdrawn - living like hermits amongst the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Welfare agencies have repeatedly implored citizens to spare a thought for those living around them, to observe and watch for the signs that indicate there is a problem - and then to do something about it - from knocking on that persons door to alerting the authorities.
We are usually receptive to such messages - and full of goodwill - but with the stress of modern living the thought fades until we once again read of such a horror in the daily press. Such is life in the twenty-first century !