Millions of older people in this country are encouraged to continue to live at home for as long as possible. But trapped indoors by mobility or cognitive issues, anxiety, fear or depression, apart from little more than 30 minutes of care twice a day if they are lucky, many face ten or eleven lonely hours in between, often with little to do and no other human contact.
I know a number of people who live like this, a few of whom are also living with the early stages of dementia. It is little short of a sort of genteel solitary confinement. Few of us would want that for our loved ones or ourselves, fewer still would describe it as "care". Yet the numbers are increasing, as care home costs escalate and places diminish.
That's why contact-the-elderly.org.uk is so important. As volunteers, we provide a lifeline of friendship to people once a month, coming together for happy Sunday tea parties in people's homes, for cake, conversation and community, all across the country.
Please contact the website above if you would be interested to volunteer as a driver or host, or know someone who would benefit as a guest.