In France the Postman Now Rings Once a Week at Elders’ Doors – Just to Check How Things Are

France is innovatively addressing the needs of its nation’s elderly people: postal service mail workers are being paid to check in on lonely seniors each week, after which they send updates to relatives.

Loneliness in older people is a growing concern worldwide, as it can be associated with health problems such as dementia, depression and diabetes, and can lead to massive costs. In France alone, more than a quarter of its 20 million people will be aged 65 and over.

But the Veiller Sur Mes Parents – or Watch Over My Parents – service can address the rise of the ageing population, potentially reducing health costs and can also solve one other problem: the annual drop of 5% in the amount of mail resulting in less work for the nation’s 73,000 postal workers.

The monthly paid service includes a weekly visit and report, and each month the post worker puts together the prior weeks’ messages and photos in a personalized newsletter for the family.