The national mail distribution company has been offering a service called “Watch over my parents” for a few years. Report in the west of Lozère, a mid-mountain department, the least densely populated in metropolitan France.
2 mins
With our special correspondent in Lozère, Marie Casadebaig
Twice a week, Alexia Mielot or one of her colleagues stop by the Fallourds whether or not they have mail for them. Alain, 81, and Jane, 77, have been living in the isolated hamlet of La Périgouse for fifteen years. They only have one neighbor around. Regular visits from the postman are therefore very valuable. ” It was my daughter who wanted to set this up because my husband had a stroke a few years ago. She is very far and my son too says Jane.
Without this service, Alexia would not always have the opportunity to go to this hamlet and especially not to stop for so long, ” otherwise we would spend the day there, we would have phenomenal hours “, she says.
Make sure all is well
In France, during this summer vacation period, some municipalities are somewhat empty, leaving people even more isolated. This is particularly the case for the oldest, whose children live far away. To ensure that they receive regular visits and get through heatwaves without too much difficulty, the postman regularly takes the time to meet them and report to relatives. With finance, of course, a little more than 20 euros per week. A way also for La Poste to diversify while the mail delivery business is in freefall.
As often, the Fallourds invite Alexia to share a coffee. A quarter of an hour or a little more to get news. ” We talk about everything, the weather. The idea is to have at least one contact during the day “explains the postwoman. “ Sometimes I forgot. La Poste calls to find outexplains Jane, and it goes back to the person who requested the service », completes Alexia.
Twice a week, the children of the Fallourds are thus assured that a postman has met their parents. If necessary, La Poste can alert emergencies. On average, every day, three people are taken to hospital thanks to this alert system.