The Eldercare Foundation
1454 Hillside Ave V8T 2B7 Victoria, BC, Canada

See the latest news story about Eldercare's Adopt a Companion Pet campaign on CHEK News: https://www.cheknews.ca/eldercare-foundation-campaign-aims/

We’re about to deliver a bunch more Companion Pets to local seniors living in long-term care! Thank you to everyone who has made an adoption so far...we’re now over halfway to our initial target of helping 225 seniors in need.

A huge thank you to everyone who has adopted a companion pet through Eldercare so far. Residents at The Priory started receiving their animals last week as a result of your donations...

Thank you to Vee Cooper and CHEK News for visiting with Eldercare today to find out more about our Adopt a Companion Pet program!

Exciting news for local elders and their families! https://globalnews.ca//bc-changes-long-term-care-assisted/

A great article from the Times Colonist about an Eldercare-funded program being carried out by UVic’s Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health: https://www.timescolonist.com//memory-cafe-aims-to-provide

Help spread the word...

Check out Eldercare Executive Director Lori McLeod speaking to CFAX's Al Ferraby about the Companion Pet Adoption program: https://www.iheartradio.ca//elder-care-foundation-asking-f

Today we say thanks to Mrs Colton’s Kindergarten class at Millstream Elementary School. These heart-warming creations will be delivered to residents at Aberdeen long-term care facility. Thank you!!

Eldercare would like to a extend a BIG thank you to School District #62. They've mobilized several of their schools to brighten the holidays for local long-term care residents with handmade cards. The first ones arrived today... These incredible melt-your-heart creations, made by students in grades 1&2 at Wishart Elementary and kindergarten students at Savory Elementary, will be delivered to residents of the Priory's Heritage Woods unit. Thank you to the amazing administrators and teachers who have made this possible...and of course to the wonderful artists!

Thank you to everyone who has been ordering Al’s Art Calendars in support of the Piercy Respite Hotel! The first printing sold out almost instantly, and today the second printing has just arrived. We’ll be catching up with our backlogged orders this week...thank you for your patience. Want one? This is the last printing, order before it’s too late: www.gvef.org/AlsArt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ0FP-QXZUA It feels just like playing a video game, but these specially designed apps on OMI projectors help seniors with dementia improve moods and access memories. Best of all, the projectors are portable, and project onto any flat surface, making it easy to provide care during this pandemic. Eldercare is currently working to purchase 5 OMI projectors for Aberdeen, Glengarry, Priory, and The Summit long-term care facilities in Greater Victoria. Find out more at www.gvef.org/SoClose.

Have you seen the beautiful video of the Ballerina with Alzheimer's? While the video has sparked many news stories about the dancer, Marta Cinta, viewers may not have realized they were also witnessing the power of music therapy. For seniors who have lost their homes and independence, outlived their spouses and friends, and - perhaps worst of all - lost some of their memories to dementia and Alzheimer's, music can be a powerful tool. It can remind seniors of who they are..., what they've achieved in their lives, and help them connect with parts of their brains not yet touched by their disease. Donations to Eldercare provide this treatment to long-term care residents in the Greater Victoria area...thank you to everyone who helps make this possible! https://thetravelingballerina.com/ballerina-with-alzheime/

Looking for gift ideas for a loved one in care? Headphones have become an in-demand item for many long-term care residents. With the cancellation of in-person entertainment programs due to the pandemic, these seniors are seeking out more recorded music and online videos. Personal headphones allow them to control the volume for their hearing needs. Eldercare is also seeking funding for headphones to create special kits that will help in need seniors facing isolation during... the pandemic. Find out more at www.gvef.org/SoClose PC Kiran CK on Unsplash

A new issue of Eldercare's Cornerstone newsletter comes out this week! Message us if you'd like to be mailed a copy.

MORE GREAT NEWS! Eldercare Foundation has just received $22,000 from the United Way of Greater Victoria, funded in part by the Government of Canada's Emergency Community Support Fund. This generous gift will fund the purchase of an OMI Projector - cutting edge technology to improve care for long-term care residents, especially those living with dementia. Eldercare now has funding for 3 of the 5 OMI Projectors we're hoping to buy as part of the So Close and Yet So Far campaign. Find out more about how this technology will help at www.gvef.org/SoClose

Stocking Stuffers for Seniors is back! Right now, at the London Drugs at Harris Green on Yates Street, there's a very special Christmas tree. On it are the names of local long-term care residents who love to celebrate Christmas, but no longer have family with whom to celebrate. Help us surprise these residents on Christmas morning by fulfilling their wish lists in store...many of the wishes are simple -- a warm blanket, new socks, a dog poster, or a box of chocolates -- but they'll create gigantic smiles!!

Why do local seniors in long-term care need your support? Here’s the story of just one of the more than 700 care residents Eldercare is currently working to help: "My mom’s 89th birthday is Nov 25th. She has Alzheimer’s but up until the last 8 months, has had a slow decline. She is still her fun and chipper self some of the time, yet, mid afternoon, she struggles with sundowning. She gets confused, she thinks she works at the Summit, or thinks she has to pack up her item...s and move. So heartbreaking. But the worst is... it breaks our hearts that she has to see her sons through a window. Possibly forever. HER forever. This just crushes my soulespecially as we face the first COVID Christmas." Eldercare can’t make the pandemic go away. But, with your help, we can help local seniors find connection, comfort, and safetyin time for Christmas. Make your gift to the So Close and Yet So Far campaign today. www.gvef.org/SoClose

THEY'RE HERE!!! As promised, Al Pearce's Inspirational 2021 calendars now on sale at https://gvef.org/alsart/ You can also buy them in person at Heirloom Linens in Broadmead Village. ... Missed the backstory? See how Al's art came to be: https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/victoria-man-with-dement

With friends and neighbours less likely to drop by right now, many at-home seniors are living in fear of a potential fall or health crisis that could leave them unable to call for help. Your donation can help expand Eldercare’s SAFE Lifeline program to provide medical alarm services to more low-income elders who have a high risk of falls that could lead to hospitalization or long-term care placement. Bring safety and peace of mind to local seniors. Make your gift today at www.gvef.org/SoClose