Living With Dementia | Discover Gay Vaughn’s ‘Adoption’ Story
At Adopt a Grandparent, our mission is to facilitate intergenerational relationships across the globe, by connecting volunteers with ‘grandparents.’
To mark World Alzheimer’s Month, we’re sharing the heartwarming story of Gay Vaughn, a woman living with dementia, and how we’ve helped her overcome her feelings of isolation:
Our Charity Initiative
Gay is a resident at one of CHD Living's homes (which has residences throughout Surrey and South West London). She’s recently partnered with a dedicated volunteer through our Adopt a Grandparent initiative, that matches younger volunteers with members of the elderly population.
With a focus on eradicating loneliness on a global scale, we’re facilitating the forging of cross-generational friendships, having a positive impact on seniors’ emotional wellbeing.
Living With Dementia: About Gay
Gay, who is living with dementia, has experienced a heartwarming transformation through her participation in our initiative, which has supported her in rekindling her engagement with the outside world.
Importantly, the relationship with her volunteer also unlocked Gay’s remarkable ability to remember her ‘grandchild’.
Despite the challenges of living with dementia, the power of their connection speaks to the impact of company and companionship.
Gay’s Pairing With Jennifer
Gay’s ‘grandchild’, Jennifer, shared that she signed up for the charity following a feeling of “great sadness” after the loss of her grandmother.
The sadness, Jenny stated, stemmed both from the grief of losing a grandparent, as well as feeling a disconnection from her grandmother’s generation — their experiences, and their life lessons.
The Impact of Adopt a Grandparent
Heidi Bradbury is the Manager of Surbiton Care Home where Gay lives. She said,
“The scheme, and newfound friendship, instil a sense of belonging to a larger world beyond these walls.
“I truly feel that Gay’s engagement with the world outside has expanded her circle of friends, demonstrating that her companions within this home are not her sole source of connection.”
Our charity, which is rapidly approaching 100,000 volunteers, is also embraced by other residents at the home, who actively engage in the scheme.
Commenting on the impact that relationships with a ‘grandchild’ have had on other residents of the care group, Heidi also said:
“It made me feel that we have an extended family that lives outside of our care home.
“It gave all our residents a feeling of also being part of an extended family, making friends without having to leave the home to find them.”
What Our Founder, Shaleeza, Had to Say
Shaleeza Hasham, our founder here at Adopt a Grandparent, said:
“I absolutely love this touching story of Gay and her volunteer 'grandchild.'
“It beautifully illustrates the incredible power of human connection and showcases the profound impact initiatives like Adopt a Grandparent can have on the lives of individuals, especially those facing unique challenges.
“It demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring bonds that can be formed across generations.
“It’s about the entire team that has dedicated their time, passion, and energy to make stories like Gay’s possible. Witnessing the impact of our work and seeing the joy and fulfilment it brings to individuals like Gay is a source of huge pride for all of us.
“We are honoured to be part of something that truly makes a difference in people's lives”.
Living With Dementia: Positive Relationships
These relationships, like the one between Gay and her 'grandchild,' prove how companionship can transcend the boundaries of age and provide friendship, emotional support, and a renewed sense of purpose to individuals of all ages.
It’s particularly poignant for those living with dementia, as it helps improve socialisation, and can even enhance memory and cognitive function.
If you’d like to get involved in our incredible initiative and help eliminate loneliness among your own residents, visit our website to register your care home.
Alternatively, why not read our previous blog to discover our ‘Wanted’ campaign?
