Ruth’s mum, 91 year old Betty is disabled, lives independently alone in Penarth and has a care package arranged by Vale Social Services: three visits a day for personal care and shopping. Although deemed able to cope and understand she can be very confused and ‘unwell’. 

Ruth’s mum, 91 year old Betty is disabled, lives independently alone in Penarth and has a care package arranged by Vale Social Services: three visits a day for personal care and shopping. Although deemed able to cope and understand she can be very confused and ‘unwell’. At the start of the Covid-19 situation Ruth was informed that her mum’s care package would be reduced to one visit per day and that no shopping could be provided. Naturally, this caused Betty dismay and distress. Although thankfully there has been no reduction to Betty’s care package, ensuring that her mum has the shopping she requires has been a problem.

Ruth explains: ‘Initially, despite repeated attempts, even during the night, I was unable to obtain online shopping deliveries for mum. Myself and my two sisters strived to resolve the shopping issue but the three of us, all pensioners, were self-isolating at that stage.’  Vale Social Services gave Ruth the phone number for Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale where she found a positive response, support and information about the charity’s shopping and other services. 

Eventually Ruth did manage to secure online shops and home deliveries for her mum and continues to arrange shopping this way. 

Even though she has managed to resolve the problem with shopping, Ruth has received weekly calls from Nona or Claire of Age Connects offering general support and back-up with shopping if required. ‘Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale have been the only agency to contact me and show any regard or concern for mum’s situation and these calls have been so very welcome.

‘As a family we are pleased that we are able to support my mother, and not depend on services that others less fortunate can access, but to know that back up is there for her from Age Connects is immensely reassuring.

‘Please carry on with your invaluable service. When life settles back to normal, although who knows when, we’ll call into your Senior Health Shop in Holton Road, Barry and introduce ourselves!’