Goodwill lacking for the lonely

In the season of goodwill, aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt is appealing for people to be more aware of the lonely after revealing he recently visited an aged care home where none of the residents had seen a visitor for the entire year.

Mr Watt said Australia was a caring society but as lives have become busier, too many people were left behind.

Josee Mather is an 80 year old great grandmother who belongs to an army of volunteers.

She moved from a country town in Victoria after the death of her husband to live with her daughter and son-in-law in Forrestfield.

She said  “you are happier yourself when you can make other people happy; it is no good to be by yourself”

Mrs Mather who belongs to the Legion of Mary at St. Francis of Assisi church in Maida Vale visits residents weekly at the nearby retirement village.

“We make sure that every-one in the home is visited at least once a year and have a list of their birthdays,” She said.

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 17 years ago, she refuses to let her health dictate her life.

Mrs Mather said she understands the isolation loneliness can bring.