Caroline English is a new mum to son Tommy and only child who recently lost both of her parents within a very short period of time.
Both her parents were in the care of Ryevale Nursing Home in Co. Kildare as they both needed full-time assistance.
She noticed while visiting the nursing home that there were many residents who didn’t have regular visitors, and something struck her. She got in touch with TodayFM about an idea she had.
“A lot of the elderly are very much with it and have a lovely sense of the world and I think their company is something that would be of huge benefit to those who unfortunately don’t have Grandparents nearby or still alive. ”
She thought to herself, what if young people visited nursing homes in their local areas and gave just a short portion of their time to an elderly resident?
“It has always been plain to see that showing the smallest interest or the giving of your company just comes back a thousand times… It could be as simple as a regular game of draughts or sitting in silence listening to a few songs just for someone, other than staff, to show an interest in them I would think be of huge benefit.”
Due to the overwhelming reaction listeners had to the email, she was invited onto the Anton Savage Show, and it looks like the ‘Adopt A Granny’ movement is really starting to catch on.
A transition year group in Gort, Co. Galway have expressed interest, and Tadhg Daly of Nursing Homes Ireland has also been in touch.
English herself is organising weekly meetups in Malahide between the elderly and new mams that will happen in the parish hall weekly.
You can find out more about the movement here.
What a lovely and beneficial idea for everyone involved.
(Thanks to Caroline for the picture of herself, her late mother, and baby Tommy she kindly sent us in).
