Home of St Barnabas meals on wheels driver Vanessa Sullivan was delivering a meal to an elderly St Kilda resident on Monday when she became concerned the resident did not answer her door.
''I banged on the door and usually she's sitting there waiting for me. For a lot of people it's a really important part of their day,'' Mrs Sullivan recalled this week.
''But, on this particular day, the door was locked and there was furniture upturned and stuff all over the floor. So, I dialled 111.''
Police and emergency services found the woman in need of medical attention and took her to Dunedin Hospital.
Dunedin police later praised Mrs Sullivan's actions and said the incident highlighted the importance of keeping an eye on elderly neighbours.
However, it was just part of the job, she said.
''Everybody should be looking after their elderly neighbours. Go next door and knock on their door. There's not a lot to it.''
Home of St Barnabas started its meals on wheels service in 1999 to care for the elderly and disabled.
''The service is not about making a profit, it is about helping frail, older people who are living at home and may be isolated because of lack of mobility,'' co-ordinator Lynette Keith said yesterday.
''Our drivers are encouraged to spend a few minutes with each client providing valued social contact. They'll do things like chop up firewood for them and take the washing off the line and little things like that.''
Home of St Barnabas delivered 47,802 meals last year and had provided 19,313 so far this year.
''The service is enormously popular. With health services stretched and a continued focus on providing for people in their own homes, rather than institutions, we expect the need for meals in Dunedin to continue to increase.''
Age Concern also operates a meals on wheels service in Dunedin for the Southern District Health Board.
