This lady, Lou Lou, was referred to us by our Volunteer Co-ordinator as she happened to live close by. Lou Lou was living with Dementia and was quite frail, but continued to remain living independently in her own home up until a few days before her death. She had always wanted to be able to live her days out at home, but sadly her quality of life had become very poor towards the end and she was moved to a home where she died. Jane Kester, Our Special Friends volunteer and her friendly dog Margot were matched with Lou Lou and continued to visit weekly for four and a half years right up until the week she died at 90 years old.
During the time Jane was visiting Lou Lou’s health declined as she became more frail and her Dementia worsened. She had carers visiting, but she suffered from long-term depression and loneliness which was compounded by the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdown when she found that there could be anything up to 5 hours between visits. Jane visited regularly; every Saturday, and even during lockdown she would drop Margot off for 30-40 minutes to spend time with Lou Lou and her visiting daughter. When the daughter couldn’t visit, Jane would still come with Margot during lockdown and they would shout across the garden.
Lou Lou’s daughter said ‘Mum had off days with the carers, but she always had time for Jane and Margot. Her face would light up when they arrived.’ Jane became such an important part of Lou Lou’s life, taking her to visit Furry, Jane’s Shetland Pony, on an earlier occasion because she knew that horses had featured in her life. A day that Lou Lou never forgot.
Jane’s visits were very precious to both Lou Lou and her daughter who said ‘I can’t commend Jane enough. She went above and beyond and even invited Mum to her house to visit Furry. I’m so grateful to Jane for managing to support Mum even with her own family commitments.’
