Alberto’s life changed while visiting his grandfather at a residence for the elderly. He met Bernardo, an 89-year-old widower, who shared that he had always dreamed of having a grandson. “I decided to adopt him as my grandfather,” says Alberto. Seeing the positive change in Bernardo after a few months of visits, Alberto began introducing his friends to other elders who were alone in the nursing home. Soon after, Adopta Un Abuelo (Adopt Grandparents) was born. It has been proven that loneliness leads to an increase in depression and accelerates cognitive deterioration in the elderly. Through Adopta Un Abuelo, Spanish youth volunteers ages 16 to 30 are trained, matched by interests via a mobile app, and introduced to isolated elders, whom they visit in pairs weekly for 9 months or more. Elders report feeling happier, less depressed, and have greater self-confidence. Volunteers gain experience and wisdom while improving soft skills such as empathy, active listening, teamwork and communication. With positive results through studies led by psychologists, nursing homes are increasingly willing to pay for the program to be available for their residents. Since 2014, Adopta Un Abuelo has matched 600+ volunteers with 365 elders. Alberto is a fellow of Premio Jovenes Emprendedores Sociales, YouthActionNet’s institute in Spain.

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