New activity technology fosters independence and storytelling
Eldercare Foundation recently visited the Gorge Road Health Centre’s Arbutus View unit, and caught up with Maryl, her husband Don who is a resident there, and their daughter Meghan. Don was sitting at a large mobile board complete with a screen, buttons, levers and simple instructions. The board, called an ABBY, had captured his attention, and he turned the wheel as the screen played a point-of-view shot of a long, sun-dappled Sunday drive. He would turn along with the corners, his mind and body syncing with the memories of driving.
ABBY is a made-in-Canada technology that is embedded in the environment and designed especially for long-term care residents with dementia. With soft, calming video and music, as well as multiple options for the user to engage with the board, the ABBY has turned out to be incredibly popular with residents, families and staff alike. They arrive pre-programmed and ready to go but also have options for staff to load it with songs, videos and photos personalized for their residents.
Eldercare Foundation has purchased six ABBYs and distributed them amongst south Island long-term care homes. Thanks to our donors, Eldercare is making plans to purchase more ABBYs so people like Don and his family can enjoy all they have to offer.
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Sharing simple pleasures, together – thanks to new furniture from Eldercare Foundation | |
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Gathering together to share a meal is a simple, time-honoured way to connect. Fostering this connection for residents at The Priory, a long-term care home in Langford, is now easier, thanks to the purchase of new dining tables by Eldercare Foundation and our donors.
Mae McSorley is a family caregiver for her mom, Bea. A resident of the Priory for just over three years, Bea has been on a dementia journey for a while now, and most of her abilities aren’t what they used to be. One of the skills she has lost more recently is the ability to feed herself.
“The old dining tables, they were solid and you couldn’t really move around, they had no way to customize them for each person,” says Mae. “The new tables make a world of difference not just for my mom’s comfort, but for me too – I can more easily help my mom with feeding, and everyone at the table is just more physically comfortable, which makes coming to the table together so much more enjoyable.”
Our heartfelt thanks to the donors who have made a real difference in the lives of long-term care residents like Bea, as well as their family caregivers, like Mae.
| | Out and About with Eldercare Foundation | |
| Summer means ice cream days! Thanks to your support, seniors in long term care got to experience the joy of a sweet treat to beat the heat. One nurse at Aberdeen sent a note of gratitude reading “Residents that rarely get out of bed agreed to go out to get ice cream. Much chaos ensued on the unit, but every face was smiling, and for a while everyone was a healthy, carefree child again.” | | | | The Piercy Respite Hotel provides a safe, secure and supportive environment to guests 24 hours a day, seven days per week – with the opportunity for social interaction in the dining room/lounge and enclosed garden. This enables their caregivers to have a period of rest and renewal. Eldercare is proud to support the great work at the Piercy, and we brought in some new, fresh towels for guests this week! | | |
Our team is growing!
Please join us in welcoming Eldercare’s latest team members: Alison, Louise, Marleigh and Cassie. Our expanded team will allow us to grow our capacity to serve Vancouver Island seniors, and build an even stronger foundation.
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Tom Arnold
Executive Director
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Tania Fritz
Donor Relations & Program Manager
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Marleigh MacLaren
Program Coordinator
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Alison Terpenning
Communications Manager
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Kaitlyn Mowatt
Finance Coordinator
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Cassie Holcomb
Database Coordinator
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Louise Pelissier
Events Coordinator
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The Power of Connection: How Social Prescribing Supports Healthy Aging
August 19, 1 - 3 p.m.
| This presentation introduces the concept of social prescribing—an innovative approach that connects people with community programs and activities that support overall wellbeing. We’ll explore the evidence behind social prescribing, discuss why it matters for older adults, and highlight practical ways to stay active, connected, and engaged in later life. | |
Make Your Whole Day Matter: Move More, Sit Less, Sleep Well
August 24, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Join us in-person or online
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Your daily habits shape your long-term health far more than you might think. In this session, we’ll explore simple ways to add more movement into your routine, cut down on long periods of sitting, and build healthier sleep patterns. We’ll look at “movement snacks,” like standing breaks or quick chair exercises, that interrupt sedentary time and support better health.
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NEW! Supporting Family Caregivers Through Burnout with Compassion & Resilience - a Four-Week Series
September 25, October 9, November 13, December 11, from 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Each session includes a 90-minute group session, followed by optional pre-booked one-on-one support sessions for those who wish to explore their caregiving experiences in a confidential setting. Optional individual sessions can be booked between 11:15 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Caring for an aging loved one can be a meaningful experience, but it can also lead to emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. This series offers a supportive space to understand caregiver burnout, recognize its warning signs, and explore practical strategies for restoring balance.
Email events@eldercarefoundation.org to book an optional individual time slot. Limited space. Pre-registration required.
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August 28,10:00 a.m. - noon
September 11, 9:30 - 11 a.m.
September 16, 10 a.m. - noon
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No senior left behind: supporting long-term care residents
The Resident-in-Need Fund supports residents facing financial barriers, ensuring that when small needs arise—like lost clothing, basic toiletries, or a replacement hearing aid—they don’t turn into overwhelming obstacles. Give today to support a long-term care resident in need.
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