Don’t want to be offended ... but I am!

My son told me(hes 17 next week) that,as well as my medical problems,im "on vulnerable list already due to my age"(im a youngish looking 56!)

Well I'm 79 and went round and left little parcels of goodies with my 5 neighbours who are all younger than me. I'm quite well and at least 3 of them are registered disabled so I felt it was something I could do. I hope they weren't offended.

I'm the oldest person in my building of 4 flats - and we all offer to help each other if going to a shop.

I wouldn't be thinking that your neighbour is treating you as 'old' just because she's offering to help.

I sort of agree (it doesn't help morale to have the phrase 'elderly and vulnerable' repeated ad nauseum). But it's really a very kind gesture and good to know that were you to hit trouble, they will help.

Just being neighbourly?

I hope you have graciously thanked this kind couple. If you do not need them now, you might in the future.Reflect on how fortunate you are that they care.

NanNanCake Methinks it's nothing to do with age but everything to do with them caring about you. Hopefully one good thing to come out of all this will be a more caring society.

We (our local Corona Virus Response team) have put postcards through (nearly) every door in our town. Most street contacts, whose numbers appear on the card, live in the street themselves. We delivered a card to our own next door neighbours.
As volunteers we don't know before we deliver the card whether the occupant is old, young, healthy, sick or just plain grumpy!
Anyone any age could get this virus or have to self isolate. My husband has already shopped for a neighbour much younger than us who has an existing condition and nobody nearby to help her.
Lets all be inspired by the hundreds of people who are prepared to help their community.

So, NanNanCake you are complaining because somebody has offered you help. I can’t see your problem as all you have to say is ‘thank you for thinking of me. At the moment I’m OK but I will let you know if I need anything’. Don’t forget that this virus takes no notice of any age.

Why on earth would you be offended ? I don't get it. Everybody is helping everybody in any way they can at this difficult time . Nothing to do with being old. I am amazed at this response. It's called community spirit.

NanNanCake, it's lovely that help is offered, don't you think? Would you rather be neglected and ignored when you might just need a hand?

I do know what you mean NanNan but think yourself lucky that they bothered. No-one has offered us any help and we really are ancient !

I remember being on a London bus when I was 50, a young woman offered me her seat. I was gobsmacked. I also remember moving into this house when husband and I were 49. A younger neighbour asked if we had grandchildren. I said huffily that my children were still at school. That same neighbour is now in her fifties and I'm tempted to ask if she has grandchildren. Now I'm 67 and nobody has offered to help us but we dont need it.

I am amazed anyone can be offended by anybody offering help - obviously you never think of offering to help anyone yourself. Extraordinary mindset whatever situation exists in the country.

I had a note through my door at the beginning. I think everyone down the street did, some very kind young people offering help, their mobile nos and a facebook group. It's just people rallying round.

I believe this is a 'community' action and these leaflets are put though most/all doors. I think it is a brilliant idea, we none of us necessarily know what each household is suffering and it's great to have a contact should it be needed - as an example if you are living on your own and you have to isolate because you have mild symptoms of Covid-19, if it were me, I would be grateful to know I had someone to call if I needed anything

Why assume it's down to your age? There are more reasons that we may be self isolating besides age and I think it is very kind of your neighbours to even bother putting a note through your door!
How about you suggest a get together via Facebook or other social media to help each other out with things such as the weekly shop? We all tend to shop at the same supermarket and at the moment you can't always get the items that you want or need so maybe if your neighbours shop at a different one, they will be able to get it for you and you can do the same in return?

I'm quite young and my neighbours have offered to help us out as we are completely isolating, no walks or shop trips for us, I don't think this has anything to do with your age

Get over yourself! Be greateful that you are healthy.
Be glad that you have such kind neighbours (and use it as a way of getting to know them better, one day you might be glad of their help!)
By my late 50's I'd had 8 operations, I have invisible disabilities and as a result have to be self isolating as much as possible. My eldest son lives with me, so we are fine.

Perhaps they want an excuse to get out the house

My daughter (26 with a 7 month old baby,) has had notes put through her door saying if she needs help with anything just to shout. Both sets of neighbours are in their sixties. I think it's just a case of people looking out for each other which is really nice

What a lucky person you are, to have such kind and thoughtful neighbours.

I agree Pamela it was a kind thought. We are just not used to being seen as vulnerable after our working lives and bringing up families etc.

We are all getting on in our street, those in their 60s being the 'youngsters'. Us in our 70s checking on our very independent 94 year old next door neighbour. But no nobody has asked us I guess we are all in the same boat either because of actual age or conditions.

I think Grammaretto is right. We're not used to being the vulnerable ones. It certainly seems strange to having the DC doing shopping for us, our not being able to help with DGC, them Facetiming us to check we're ok!

Officially, unlike the OP, we are in the vulnerable group and completely confined to the house. Age has nothing to do with that, it's our health. It does seem very strange!