When someone asks you for advice on what to do, do you give it?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (60312)
July 11, 2026 11:27pm CST
My elderly neighbor called me about noon Saturday. She has one remaining sister, who lives in Washington state. She was unable to reach her sister by phone, and sister's voicemail was full so she couldn't leave a message. She was getting nervous, thinking maybe her sister was sick. She wasn't sure what to do--her sister has a daughter, but the daughter had been out of town for work, and was on a plane on her way home. She called the daughter and had to leave a message for the daughter to call her.
She asked me, what can I do? I suggested she call the local police department and have them do a wellness check, that they will do that, and then they would call her back. I had to do that with an elderly relative a time or two in the past. She did that...and the outcome was tragic. They found her sister on the floor, not breathing, and couldn't get her back.
Now I feel terrible. I know I couldn't have prevented what happened, but neighbor is upset that she wasn't there with her sister and didn't know her sister had a heart condition. She says she is glad she called, as her sister could have been there until tomorrow when the daughter could get there to visit (she lives about 100 miles from her mother.) But still, I feel sort of guilty for making the suggestion.
And the worst part about the entire thing is, that's exactly how my own Dad died. He drove the two hours home from visiting me and my family, went inside and made coffee, set it down, and dropped dead from a massive coronary. A friend found him there.
No matter how old, no matter what, even though death is a part of life, it's still hard for those left behind who loved the one who passed away. I feel sorry for my neighbor. Her sister and the niece were the only family she had left.
5 people like this
5 responses
@Juliaacv (56724)
• Canada
51m
She is a very fortunate lady to have asked you for this advice.
She obviously trusts you, and you gave her sound words.
It will be much easier on the entire family that the authorities found her and not the daughter, who could have really been traumatized seeing her like that.
A nice touch on your part now would be to have her in for a cool drink as she grieves.
@LadyDuck (504271)
• Italy
3h
You gave her the right suggestion. When the brother of our dear friend in Monte Carlo could not reach him, he did the same, he called the local police to go there and check. The police also found our friend on the floor. There is not a lot we can do when we live far away.
@JudyEv (384463)
• Rockingham, Australia
5h
You did the right thing. I know you might feel bad about it but what else could you suggest? Far worse if the poor man had been there longer.






