Initiatives look to help seniors over the holidays

AGECARE COLUMBIA, LONDON DRUGS JOIN FORCES

The holiday season tends to be a lonely time for many seniors in Lethbridge. Community volunteers, along with AgeCare Columbia and London Drugs, are working together to bring more Christmas cheer to socially isolated seniors through the holiday season with A Christmas to Remember and Stocking Stuffers for Seniors donation drives.

Seniors living alone are at higher risk of social isolation, which can be twice as deadly as obesity and diabetes, and increases the risk of dementia by twothirds. With support from local organizations, schools, churches and many volunteers, the joint donation drive is hoping to deliver over 400 gifts to seniors in Lethbridge who many not otherwise receive anything from Christmas.

“When seniors are lonely or isolated, it can significantly compromise their mental or physical health,” says Kathy Tomasta, administrator at AgeCare Columbia. “When they receive a gift at Christmas, it reminds them that someone cares about them, even if that person is someone they have never met.”

Loneliness tends to grow during times traditionally dedicated to family and friends, such as the holiday season. Anonymous gifts delivered to them help brighten recipients’ lives and sends the messages that they are being thought of during these special times.

“The donated items are only part of the gift we can give them,” says Chris Mabie, store manager at London Drugs in Lethbridge. “The true gift is a few minutes of time to brighten their day and make sure they know they weren’t forgotten during the holidays.”

There are three ways to help seniors in the community at Christmas. People are able to donate a gift by picking up a tag with a seniors wish list from the tree at AgeCare Columbia or London Drugs in Lethbridge. From there bring the unwrapped gift back with the tag before Dec. 17.

Another way to give back is by volunteering to sort, wrap and/or deliver the gifts at the Wrapping Party on Dec. 18. People are also able to register a senior who is in need of more holiday cheer and to provide a gift suggestion by visiting the Christmas to Remember program website carethischristmas.ca.

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