Man (75) lay dead for weeks

I think many people find this kind of event shocking not just because of the circumstances surrounding the person's death but what inferences might be made from it about the person's life.

If they want to be a 'loner' that's fine. But how much choice and opportunity not to be socially isolated while maintaining their sense of dignity and independence did they realistically have?

If you don't have money, a car, a job, good health, etc how do you get out and make friends or even acquaintances in Dunedin?

Most of the time, you certainly can't do it by just walking down the road near where you live. You will hardly see a soul. Even if you do, the usual city suspicion of 'strangers' means they probably won't even say hello, let alone talk to you.

Limajadi, medical alarms are the ticket for when a person has "a medical event or a fall".  He would not be able to open the door to the neighbours, which would indicate either he is lying helpless or he is out, perhaps even away for a few days, he surely wouldn't have to announce to the neighbourhood his itinerary!  Should people who live alone be required to give a neighbour a key to their house with the expectation that in normal circumstances - i.e. when there is no reason to suspect he is not engaged elsewhere including at home but in his own bathroom doing what must be done, they will let themselves in and wander around till they find him?  Should neighbours make a practice of peering through the windows when he doesn't open the door?  This is what I mean about living with years of intrusion being the realistic alternative to taking the risk that one will die alone, possibly not to be discovered for rather a long time.

Well no he wouldn't be any less dead if neighbours checked on him half an hour after he died.........but.........if they had checked on him half an hour after a medical event or a fall, whilst he lay there in agony wishing somebody would check on him, then he probably would be less dead and quite possibly very thankful for his caring neighbour. Just a thought.

Hype.O.Thermia, I agree in some ways re surveillance, but we can't have deceased persons lying about for a month, that's a Wellington thing. It is bereaved families who pay the price. Maybe, just maybe, elderly and infirm should accept there are those willing to look out for them without intrusion or fuss. Not just the bank manager.

Would the man currently be any less dead if neighbours checked on him half an hour after he died?

Most of us prefer not to have people outside our family and friends checking our comings and goings, it is regarded as nosiness and intrustive behaviour.  Dying alone is the price paid for this freedom to choose who is involved in our day to day lives.  Many of us feel that while it may not be ideal it beats years of surveillance, however well-meant.