ENHANCING CARE, COMFORT AND QUALITY OF LIFE TO ENSURE SENIORS AGE WITH DIGNITY
Each month, broken hearing aids, dead batteries, empty PolyGrip tubes, and lost glasses – seemingly simple issues for most of us – become major life events for some of Vancouver Island’s most vulnerable residents. Long-term care costs up to 80% of a senior’s after-tax income, but does not include vital items like clothes, medications, dentures, hearing aids, glasses, outside health visits, personal care items (shampoo, deodorant, razors, etc.), wheelchairs, entertainment, and more. For those seniors who have only their pension, Old Age Security, and Guaranteed Income Supplement payments for income, they often can’t afford the things they need.
Eldercare Foundation’s Resident-in-Need Fund helps to restore dignity and quality of life to seniors who find themselves in such circumstances.
One local senior named Sylvia recently found herself in a position where she was not able to clean her dentures for a month. After her chronic illnesses became too much for her to manage on her own, she moved into a long-term care home in Victoria. The round-the-clock nursing was an immediate help. The cost, however, caused her a host of new problems. Eldercare’s Resident-in-Need Fund got her the items she needed, including Polident tablets, so that she could clean her dentures.
Another Victoria care resident named Faye had to cancel multiple healthcare appointments because she had nothing to wear. Due to her lack of income, her wardrobe had been reduced to just a hospital gown. “I feel like I’ve moved back into the world,” said Faye upon receiving three new dresses thanks to Eldercare donors.
Eldercare supporters know what it means to help people who are no longer able to help themselves. Take Roy Small, for example. He believes that everyone deserves to feel their best. While visiting his wife at a Victoria care home, Roy noticed that several male residents were in desperate need of a haircut and a shave. He wanted to do something to help restore their confidence and lift their spirits. Roy gave generously to Eldercare so that residents with financial barriers could access this service.
“Ensuring seniors age with dignity is what drives us,” says Tom Arnold, Executive Director, Eldercare Foundation. “Seemingly small things we often take for granted – a haircut, a new item of clothing, even toothpaste – can make a big difference to seniors in need.”
As BC’s population ages, more seniors are falling through the cracks. “Eldercare is working hard to find ways to protect quality of life for a growing number of seniors. In long-term care they’re out-of-sight and, for many, out-of-mind. Eldercare’s work is to shine a spotlight on this problem, and to raise money for the care and support they need.”
Since 1982, Eldercare has relied on community donations to enhance long-term care. In addition to supporting residents with financial challenges, Eldercare funds special equipment such as wheelchairs and buses for outings, technology such as robotic pets and iPads, music therapy, gardening activities, and much more.
Given that 93% of BC seniors hope to continue living independently at home for as long as possible, Eldercare also supports aging in place. Donations fund enhancements at Adult Day Programs, Community Bathing Programs, and the Piercy Respite Hotel to help our aging population stay home for as long as they can.
Finally, Eldercare invests in research and education aimed at improving care for seniors. Thanks to philanthropic gifts and bequests, Eldercare has a robust array of bursaries, scholarships, and awards to help healthcare workers upgrade their skills, while also supporting new students to enter the field. Public education is vital too, and Eldercare is a proud partner with Island Health for the free senior-focused workshops delivered by the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.
Between exploding population growth, and rising chronic illness rates, there are more local seniors in need than ever before. Fortunately, Eldercare is poised to grow and meet the needs of our aging population. Sometimes it’s a simple as buying a box of Polident. For other issues, Eldercare is working to create system-level change that will impact seniors across Vancouver Island. If you want to learn more and get involved, call 250-3705664, email contact@gvef.org or visit www.gvef.org.