The Kiss Cooperative helps with errands and fights against loneliness

The Kiss Cham cooperative is again looking for helpers to go shopping for older people.

Karin Pasamontes, managing director of the Kiss Cham cooperative, reports that some elderly people are unsure how to behave now that the number of corona cases has risen rapidly again and the Federal Government has tightened the measures.

"We have received inquiries from older people who would rather not shop for themselves."

During the lockdown in the spring, the neighbourhood aid was coordinated by a cooperation of all Zug Residents Offices (Einwohnergemeinden), as well as numerous social institutions and organisations. "The Neighbourhood Assistance (Nachbarschaftshilfe) Kiss Cham provided its platform as a basis, and the cooperation worked very well." Karin Pasamontes has therefore raised the question as to whether the service should be reactivated. However, as it is not a general lockdown this time, those responsible have refrained from creating a cantonal solution. "Kiss Cham is now taking matters into its own hands locally," says Pasamontes.

10 to 20 young helpers are being sought
So if you live in Cham and the neighbouring municipalities and would like someone to do shopping or disposals for you once or twice a week, you should contact her. "We also need young people who are willing to take on such a commitment until further notice," says Pasamontes. "But we no longer need as many as during the first lockdown, however. 10 to 20 people would be sufficient."

If older people from Cham and the surrounding area feel uncomfortable shopping, they can call on the help of the Kiss cooperative.

The services of Kiss are not limited to the elderly. "Younger people and non-members are, of course, also welcome to use our services." As a rule, younger people organise their help themselves, as they had a larger social network. "Older people are often alone and rather lonely."

A way out of loneliness
During the lockdown, the Kiss employees managed to raise some people out of their despair and depression. "We kept calling on them to take food orders, but also to inquire about their condition." If someone didn’t pick up the phone after several attempts, the volunteers would visit them: “Many people know us because they have been with us for a long time. This creates trust and closeness."

In one particularly serious case, Kiss staff even cooked meals for the lonely, depressed person, and mediated between her and the Spitex service. "She no longer opened the door to their employees. But she let the Kiss helpers in, because she already knew us."

A further measure against loneliness is provided by the encounter lunches, which take place regularly (see report of 29 October). These will be maintained as long as the corona measures allow. "There is a loyal and regular clientele that comes regularly to the meals," says Karin Pasamontes. Social contact is extremely important for these people. "If one of the regular attendees is missed by the others, they tell us. We then call or walk by and enquire about the person's condition."

For Karin Pasamontes and her Kiss team, this extraordinary commitment is a matter of course: "That’s our social responsibility, which we’re happy to assume."

If you live in Cham or the neighbouring municipalities and need or could offer help, please contact Karin Pasamontes on 0764433858 or info@kiss-cham.ch.