AgeWell Service: Volunteers help fight isolation

Limerick is the first European city to pilot the AgeWell service which sees mature adults volunteering to conduct home visits to socially isolated elderly people.

Limerick is the first European city to pilot the AgeWell service which sees mature adults volunteering to conduct home visits to socially isolated elderly people. It has been running for ten months and has already had great success in combating loneliness, spotting dangers — as simple as torn carpets or clutter or the absence of smoke alarms — and keeping people out of hospitals.

Subsidised by AgeWell Global, brainchild of Dr Mitch Besser, husband of singer Annie Lennox, it is currently free to users who are referred by those working with the elderly, such as gardaí, HSE staff, and community workers.

The wonder of the service is that the volunteers, who receive no more than reasonable expenses, are mostly older people — many of them retired — who choose to visit those in their own age group to provide companionship, friendship and a helping hand to those in need. It is targeted at those who live alone and who, because of medical issues, may be housebound.

The pilot service has been extended until March after part-funding was secured from the HSE and Limerick City and County Council.

The HSE should help in making the service available nationwide, to run in tandem with the Home Help service. Anything that can help isolated elderly lead happier and healthier lives should be encouraged and assisted.