We have supported John and his wife, Barbara for many
years.
Their circumstances are very different now than when we first knew
them, but that is often the way. Independent Age's strength is that
we are able to support all the older people we help for the rest of
their lives - keeping in touch so that we can adapt to their
changing needs, over time.
John and Barbara have a volunteer visitor, Karen, who says: "I
was inspired to become an Independent Age volunteer visitor by my
mother, who has been supporting the charity for many years. I now
regularly help 16 older people, which is really rewarding. My
sister is a committed supporter of the charity too." It is so
pleasing when whole families get involved - this passes on valuable
experience and support to the next generation of volunteers.
Over the years we have provided John and Barbara with grants and
mobility equipment. However, since suffering a stroke, Barbara has
been living in a nursing home. Our volunteer, Karen, organised a
grant from Independent Age to pay for a specially adapted
wheelchair for Barbara to use, which the local Primary Care Trust
was unable to provide. This makes her day-to-day life less painful.
Karen visits John twice a week in his home, and frequently takes
him to see his wife. John and Barbara have developed a real
friendship with Karen.
