Posties will keep an eye on older people

Called Veiller sur mes parents, the new paying service is open to families around the world to keep an eye on a parent or family member in France and postal staff will message by smartphone to say how they are doing.

It is an extension of a utility run with local authorities for three years that has seen more than 50,000 visits to older people.

Costing from €19.99 a month (tinyurl.com/megwds2), the service aims to allow older people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible and to ensure their well-being.

It can also help stave off the well-known problem of loneliness that can hit older people whose families have moved away and whose friends are no longer alive.

Postal staff will call in from once to six times a week plus a 24/7 telephone helpline service and links to local handymen.

Visitors will stay and chat for between five and 10 minutes and make sure they have specific answers to questions on the person’s health and even if they need shopping.

Families provide a list of contact numbers – including someone fairly nearby who can step in if needed in a problem – and they will get regular updates.

Postal staff have had special training for the role and it uses the fact they already make daily visits to a large proportion of the population and are passing six days a week.