Jerry Henney, 63, of Eastriggs first met his neighbour in 2010 and they fast became friends.
Fast forward eight years and he has been given power of attorney for the pensioner, who is in his 80s and suffering from dementia so will not be named for privacy reasons. That means Jerry is now tasked with looking after his finances, helping him run his house and providing company to ward off loneliness.
Describing what it has been like, kind-hearted Jerry said: “His wife died recently and his health has deteriorated. He has two big dogs he struggles to walk.
“My wife and I have put our life on hold to help him, it’s become like a full time job. We have a motorhome and love to get away but that’s just not been possible.”
As power of attorney, he has had multiple meetings with social services about his welfare, but said: “They told me he needs two carers three times a day but he’s getting nothing.
“He’s an old man, he’s confused, he needs help and I’m trying my hardest to fight his corner and get him the help he’s entitled to but it’s not happening.
“We feel extremely let down by social services, who seem content to just let us care for him at the expense of our happiness.”
Retired Jerry is also issuing a plea to the Eastriggs community to help his friend.
He said: “He’s got two large boxers, they’re still quite young, they’re full of energy and just aren’t getting exercised enough.
“He loves those dogs and they mean a lot to him but if someone or a few people were able to help, volunteer some time, and walk the dogs for him it would be a relief.
“Similarly, it would be helpful if there was anyone who would be able to help with anything from food shopping to a bit of company. This is what it’s come to, asking the community for help where social services have let him down.”
Responding to the complaint, a spokesman for Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “It would be inappropriate for the Council to comment through the media on a matter relating to an individual person.”
* Can you help Jerry’s friend? Email him at [email protected] for more information
