WORDS Kelly Dugmore, CEO and Founder, Algarve Care Services
As the Algarve moves towards the end of the year and the festive season approaches, the need for community connection becomes acutely important. While we are known for our sunshine and vibrant lifestyle, many residents face significant challenges, particularly those struggling with memory loss and loneliness.
That is why I am delighted to introduce our winter initiative, the Share Bear Campaign. This heartfelt community effort, which launches in November, is dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by those living alone or living with dementia. Our mission is profoundly simple: to bring people together, recognise the signs of memory loss and isolation, and ensure that no one in our community feels forgotten, invisible or alone during this time of year.
A message of comfort and connection
As the CEO and lead campaigner, I am appealing to our wonderful community to help us achieve a powerful goal: we are collecting 200 teddy bears. These bears will be gifted in a very special way to individuals in the community who are struggling with loneliness or living with dementia.
Each bear will carry a message of comfort and connection – a simple reminder that they are seen, cared for and not forgotten. These gifts mark the beginning of our campaign, symbolising the warmth and compassion we hope to spread throughout the Algarve.
We need your help to reach our target! If you have clean, unwanted teddy bears sized between 15 cm and approximately 30 cm high, please consider donating them this month.
For details on drop-off locations, please check our Instagram and Facebook pages . Your generosity will help us bring comfort and hope to those who need it most.
Understanding the challenges
This campaign matters because loneliness is far more than a passing emotion; it is a growing public health issue. For those living with memory issues, isolation can deepen confusion, accelerate decline, and erode self-worth. Prolonged isolation can also increase the risk of depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, and even dementia itself.
It is essential that we, as a community, know how to spot the subtle signs that someone might be struggling. These can include: withdrawing from social activities, neglecting meals or daily routines, becoming easily disoriented or forgetful, or showing signs of sadness, frustration or anxiety. Recognising these changes and responding with understanding can transform someone’s life.
Dedicated support in the Algarve
At Algarve Care Services, we strive to be the supportive lifeline for those dealing with these challenges. We are a licensed, fully registered and insured care company established in the Algarve since 2017. We are proud to be the only award-winning care agency in the region.
We provide long-term, short-term, or end-of-life home care to people living, staying temporarily, or holidaying in the Algarve. Our team offers a varied range of support, including hourly and live-in care packages, helping people remain safely and confidently in their own homes for as long as possible.
We employ fully skilled, English-speaking, bilingual professionals and offer flexible options to suit individual needs, including live-in care, crisis care support (available 24/7 for social care emergencies), and a wide range of medical equipment for rental. We take a holistic approach to care, ensuring the correct carer is assigned, matching not only physical needs but personality as well.
We would rather you know us and not need us than need us and not know us. Together, through professional care and community compassion like the Share Bear Campaign, we can make a profound difference to the lives of vulnerable residents.
For more information, please follow Algarve Care Services on Facebook or @Algarvecare247 on Instagram, or call us on +351 927 688 677.
