When it comes to care for older people, physical health isn't the only concern that care providers like Westward Care take into consideration. For many, ageing brings with it a shrinking of their social circle, and increased isolation and feelings of loneliness are common for older people. This is why Westward Care is glad to see its residents making connections though a new volunteer-led initiative.

Recently, Pennington Court resident Paul had his first of what it's hoped will be many chats with Juliette from the Cayman Islands, the pair having connected thanks to the Adopt a Grandparent initiative. Founded in 2019 by Shaleeza Hasham, Adopt a Grandparent was started to tackle the loneliness that can be faced by not just older people, but younger Adopt a Grandparent volunteers who are missing having older influences in their life.

To date, more than 100,000 people have signed up to Adopt a Grandparent, which matches users based on their mutual hobbies and interests. Having described themselves via an online registration form, a volunteer is put in contact with a like-minded resident through video calling, messaging and/or letter writing, with the option to eventually meet face to face.

Speaking via video call, Paul and Juliette in their initial meeting discussed their mutual love of Ireland and its people, and made plans to speak again the following Sunday. In the pair's second virtual chat, Paul sat with a couple of gifts that Juliette had kindly sent him - books that Juliette has written on animals she has rescued - and the two talked about weddings that Juliette has organised. It was the beginning of a new friendship between two people more than 4,000 miles apart.