“Get visitors as often as you like. No binding. Free and non-binding first visit”. “In May there is a 50 per cent discount for an everyday friend”. This is how the text reads in the advertisement from the company Vilmer, which has advertised with visiting friends on cheap sales this spring. Prices depend on the number of visits. The advertisement from Vilmer entices visitors at a reduced price. Photo: Skjermdump / news For a weekly visit you have to fork out NOK 990 a month. If you upgrade to twelve visits within four weeks, the price is 2990. During the offer period, mind you. Usually the price is double. The company is not alone in offering a friend for hire. An online search shows that several private players advertise similar services in Norway, which several municipalities already use. Do you think paid visitor services are okay? Yes, understand that there is a need today. No, that’s stepping over a line. Show result Kjærkomment in everyday life – It means a lot, says Bjørn Hallgrimsson, and looks over at his new friend, Jarle Romnæs. The former lives with her daughter Iris Belinda Johansen on a small farm outside Sandefjord. She runs a dog kennel, and has a busy everyday life. The days can therefore be long for the oldest man on the farm. The pensioner no longer has a driving licence, and must have help when, for example, he goes shopping at the shop or the pharmacy. Bjørn Hallgrimsson and his daughter Iris Belinda Johansen live under the same roof. They have decided to pay for visits to the father. Photo: Nils Fridtjof Skumsvoll / news When father and daughter came across the offer from Vil mer, they decided to give it a try. Once a week he is now visited by Romnæs, who is a so-called “everyday friend”. Sometimes they go out shopping. Other times they sit at home and chat together over a cup of coffee. – We have got on the same wavelength and have no problem talking together, says Hallgrimsson happily. Jarle agrees. Jarle Romnæs does not see the visits to Bjørn as a job. The payment covers the expenses he has for transport and a little more. Photo: Nils Fridtjof Skumsvoll / news Because even though he does get paid to be there, it is not the money that is primarily the motivation. – I have worked as a support contact in the past, and find it rewarding. I guess I don’t really see it as a job, he says. Iris is happy that her father can also get help from someone other than her. – It is mostly so that father can have a little more privacy. That he doesn’t have to feel so dependent on me, she says. – What do you think about paying for visits? – It’s okay. We end up a bit between a rock and a hard place. He does not need home help, but wants to be more active. – Registers an increase The need for visiting friends is increasing. This is also confirmed by figures from the Red Cross. In the next 20 years, according to the organisation, the number of elderly people living at home who live alone will double in this country. The Red Cross can today boast 10,000 volunteer visiting friends, but still has over a thousand lonely people on the waiting list in May. This is what Øistein Mjærum, head of communications at the Red Cross, says. Øistein Mjærum, head of communications at the Red Cross Photo: Red Cross – It says a lot about how big a social problem loneliness among the elderly is, when a commercial market appears to remedy the challenge. He does not want to say too much about the private services, but encourages the companies to be clear that they are a commercial player in the market. He experiences that people especially appreciate that a volunteer takes the time to visit. – Our users say that it gives a greater sense of equality than if someone has been paid to drink coffee with you, says Mjærum. Supplement to the home service Øystein Landgraff, general manager of the company Vilmer, believes that the need for this type of service will increase as we get older in Norway. – There is a shortage of health personnel. We hope to be able to supplement the home service, which we feel the municipalities are positive about based on the conversations we have had, he says. Øystein Landgraff, general manager at Vilmer. Photo: VilMer Many of the relatives he has spoken to say, according to Landgraff, that the burden in everyday life can often be felt as great. He understands that people may initially perceive the visitor service as problematic, but believes it may be a matter of misunderstanding. – If you look into this more, I think you will see that it is a positive offer that will be embraced by many, he believes. – Isn’t this a way of exploiting people’s vulnerability? – Our vision is to create more good moments, says Landgraff. – We have been working on this for five years, where we have tried to solve this with volunteering and various models that can work. Based on the feedback we have received so far, both from relatives and the individual, it seems that we have hit on something very good. What do people on the street think about visits that cost money? Cassandra Bringsås – It sounds like a nice offer in the first place, but it should have been free, then. There are enough expenses for the elderly. It is a shame that it has become like this. At the same time, it has to go around for the companies that offer this. Kristian Maasø – Welfare profit has become very profitable. At the same time, there must be a personal assessment for the elderly. People must be in their full right to make that choice themselves. Then a number of ethical issues arise the day the user becomes demented, and may no longer know what he or she is being billed for. The politicians are guaranteed to arrive too late to lay down some ethical guidelines for the industry. Synne Hagstrøm Marthinsen – It’s a nice idea, but it should be free. It would have been better if some volunteers came to visit, rather than having to pay for it yourself. It shows that not enough money is given to elderly care and health in general. Lisa Svendby and Izabella Larsen Ekqvist – It is sad that loneliness is such a big problem in Norway. Fortunately, there are organizations that ensure that this is done voluntarily and free of charge, says Lisa Svendby. – I would rather have family and friends visit, says Izabella Larsen Ekqvist. – Appreciate the company MIO is also a major player in private care. They offer, among other things, home help and visiting friend services across large parts of the country. Several private operators offer home visits. Whether it’s a trip to the shop, or just having a cup of coffee together. Prices vary. Photo: Vegard Lilleås / news Stian Tolnæs, general manager of the care department, feels that their users greatly appreciate the opportunity. – It can be an accompanying service to a doctor or just being with someone at home. Some cook, and others go for a walk. Both relatives and users tell us that this is a great help, says Tolnæs. Do you have a good tip? Hello! I have written this case. Do you have a tip for something we should look into more closely, or an exciting story you want to tell us about? Then you are welcome to get in touch.
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Advertises with “hire a friend for half price” – loneliness has become a shop – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
