Loneliness in the elderly is being combatted by man’s best friend, thanks to the efforts of a small south London charity.
A volunteer-run charity is launching a dog befriending service in Southwark, after a stunningly successful pilot last year.
CareDogs, which also operates in Lambeth, Bromley and Lewisham, wants to tackle social isolation in the elderly through a range of services centred around the positive impact dogs can have on our lives.
The charity is asking volunteers to come forward with their beloved pet dogs and befriend an older person in need, with the simple aim of encouraging human connection through canine companionship.
They want to give dog owners the opportunity to pair up with elderly people, especially if they are housebound, living with dementia or going through a bereavement.
“I was lost after my wife Jo died unexpectedly last year,” said 80-year-old Colin from Bromley, one of the first people to benefit from the charity’s pilot. “Having these walks every week has helped me regain structure – and I remember my love of walking. I now walk a lot more and feel so much better for it.
“Meeting Fiona and Ellie every week has been so good for me, to have a walk and a talk,” he added.
Colin was one of six elderly people who were part of CareDog’s 2021 pilot, which the organisation said had a “huge impact” on their lives.
Some 500,000 elderly people go a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all.
Almost one in five over-70s feel less confident to leave the house by themselves following Covid-19, alongside suffering increased levels of depression and anxiety.
In contrast, more than 85 per cent of dog owners said their pets had a positive impact on their well-being during the pandemic.
Plus studies by the American Heart Association say owning a dog is linked with living longer, with dog owners having a 24 per cent lower risk of dying from any cause compared to pet-less people.
“Our befriending service has already shown it can be an impactful and timely solution to the issue of social isolation and loneliness in the elderly,” said CareDogs CEO and founder, Delphine Chui. “But we need the public’s help to increase its reach and make a real difference in the lives of individuals living throughout South London.”
CareDogs wants to raise £3,000 so that it can expand the befriending service to 50 volunteers.
For more information, visit caredogs.org.uk.