Blog: Meals on wheels shake-up seems a good idea
Thursday 7th October 2010, 9:29AM BST.
Blog: It could soon be back to school for some of Shropshire’s elderly folk – if plans for a shake-up of the meals on wheels service are approved, writes Andrew Owen.
A task group has suggested that instead of delivering meals, it would be cheaper if some elderly people went in to schools for their dinner.
After all, meals are already being served there, so if an older person is capable of walking to school, then why not eat there?
The advantages? Well, it would cut costs and free up the meals on wheels service to concentrate on those who really do need home deliveries, and it would also get young people and old people mixing.
On the face of it, it does seem like a really good idea. There have been plenty of news reports of elderly people feeling isolated. Some can go for days without seeing or talking to another person, and the idea that they could go into schools, where they would meet and talk to youngsters has got to be a good thing for both generations, hasn’t it?
Of course, some of them might find the modern school canteen, and some youngsters, a bit of a culture shock. Times have changed – a lot – in the years since today’s pensioners left school, but I don’t think that’s in any way an unbridgable gap.
And to some youngsters elderly people are a different species entirely – not what they will be themselves one day. They could learn a lot if this gets approved.
Councillor Keith Barrow, Shropshire Council’s leader, thinks the move would enhance the quality of life of older people.
I think he could well have a point.
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The thought makes me shudder, I am not yet even of retirement age but personally I would rather go with out than go into a school.
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I remember an old man having his dinner in our village school back in the 1960s. Never found out why, though.
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i am cocerned over the thought of some pensioners going to school for meals,i am a pesioner my self,and have grandchildren of schoolage. my cocern is how do iknow my grandchild is not sat alongside a paedophile,as we all know the dana is full of them,and what we dont know is how many settledown here when released.
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I think it would be a good idea. As stated it will save money,(ratepayers money), and allow more time for those unable to get out.
It would also allow some interaction between the two generations which could prove to be a big positive. Maybe the kids would grow up to realise that old people are just like them, fellow human beings, then perhaps there would be fewer cases like the one on today’s page of the lady who killed herself and her disabled daughter after years of abuse, by KIDS.
Barry Nicholls. If you think like that, then the only way your grandchild will ever be considered safe in your eyes is if he/she is never allowed out on their own. Is that what happens now? There are far more decent people out there than the other sort. Blinkered thinking will never allow progress.
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Older adults are often neglected and ignored by our communities, it takes a lot of courage to mix with younger people,in a world which seems alien to them. I’m not sure many would want to go into schools for their lunch! On the security issue, I strongly believe that EVERY adult in a school environment should be CRB checked. As a parent my children surely deserve the best chance of being safe in their school environment. It’s a sad reflection, but reality that some may use this as an opportunity to access children. Why take the risk?
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