To think about . . .

Archbishop Vincent Nichols

"In recent days there has been a media focus on the quality of social care provision. In the longer term this whole area is bound to come more to the fore. By 2020 over 20% of the population will be over 65, with nearly half this group over 75. How we care for older and vulnerable people is a major challenge for all of us. Catholic care homes often have a special ethos, and Caritas has recently been developing in particular the work on the spiritual needs of people with dementia. I was struck by Joanna Killon’s comments at our conference on 6 April about the high levels of loneliness among older people living alone, and the potential within the Catholic community for us to deepen our social engagement precisely through the ministry of visiting, through cherishing and supporting the work of the SVP, the Catenians and others. No doubt there are other examples of how our contribution could grow."

Archbishop Vincent Nichols addressing the Caritas Network Conference, 9 June 2011