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Adopt a Grandparent: efforts to combat loneliness in Portugal

Lisbon (Portugal), 6 Apr, EFE, (Camera: Carlos Garcia).- The "Adopt a Grandparent" project is increasingly in demand among Portuguese seniors. psychologist Teresa Valente, 23, spoke to EFE about how she launched the "Adopt a Grandparent" project among the Christian community in Abrantes, in central Portugal, to serve others in times of confinement. The initial objective, to pair young people with elderly people through telephone contact to help them overcome their loneliness while in confinement.FOOTAGE OF AND SOUNDBITES BY TERESA VALENTE, A PSYCHOLOGIST WHO HAS LAUNCHED IN PORTUGAL THE PROJECT: ADOPT A GRANDFATHER. TRANSLATION TERESA VALENTE:1.- "So, I'm in a scout group in Abrantes, Portugal, and during this quarantine our group is sending challenges to keep the "scout" spirit. One of those challenges was to do a good deed. And I began to think how I could be at the service of the community from home. And this idea came up of supporting older people, who are one of the groups at risk during this quarantine and who feel very lonely. I contacted Sister Fernanda Luz and we created a project in the Youth Ministry. The next day we contacted young people to adopt grandparents."2.- "We already have 9 pairs of grandparents and grandchildren and 6 young people waiting to adopt grandparents".3.- "With this project we want to bring a little joy to the elderly who are at home and show them that, in spite of their isolation, they are not alone and that they are part of a community that cares about them".