Be a Santa to a senior

Many seniors enjoy living independently and can travel or entertain during the holidays. But the Christmas season can be a difficult time for those who may struggle financially or be unable to spend time with friends. In fact, isolated seniors are at greater risk for depression and other mental health issues.
 
“Research suggests that feelings of loneliness can have a real effect on both mental and physical health,” says Don Henke, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Penticton, Summerland and Okanagan Falls. “Many people feel lonely during the holidays and that is especially true for seniors who cannot travel or may have lost their support network. Home Instead Senior Care is once again inviting communities from Lake Country to Okanagan Falls to come together and bring a little holiday cheer to local seniors through its Be a Santa to a Senior program. It also brings comfort to the seniors, and our message is that ‘someone cares and is thinking of you’.”
 
The program is made possible through the generous support of local businesses, non-profit organisations, retailers and volunteers. The local Home Instead Senior Care office has partnered with local London Drugs locations. Holiday shoppers are invited to visit a participating location where a tree will be on display from November 20th to December 15th. The trees will be decorated with paper ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and their desired gifts or suggestions. Holiday shoppers can choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it to the store with a gift bag and tissue.
 
Or, go online and be a digital Santa! If you find yourself housebound or unable to get out to shop, you can still be involved with a computer, tablet or smartphone, and an internet connection! Being a digital Santa is as easy as buying gifts online, and shipping them to Home Instead in Kelowna. Learn more at: https://www.homeinstead.ca/3005/blog/winter-got-you-down-you-can-still-be-a-digital-santa-to-a-senior
 
“We’re excited to get started and watch tree ornaments turn into meaningful gifts that can positively impact seniors’ quality of life this holiday season,” said Henke. “We’re grateful that so many people in the communities come together to support such an important cause that brings some much-needed holiday spirit to many of our senior neighbours.”
 
‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ tags can be obtained at the following locations:
·         London Drugs, 1950 Harvey Ave, 400, (Kelowna)
·         London Drugs, 2151 Louie Drive, Westbank (West Kelowna)
·         London Drugs, 2111 Main Street, 165, Penticton (Cherry Lane Shopping Centre)
 
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.ca or call 250-860-4113 in Kelowna or 250-492-4110 in Penticton.
 
ABOUT HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE
Founded in 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska, by Lori and Paul Hogan, the Home Instead Senior Care® network provides personalized care, support and education to help enhance the lives of aging adults and their families. Today, this network is the world's leading provider of in-home care services for seniors, with more than 1,000 independently owned and operated franchises that are estimated to annually provide more than 50 million hours of care throughout Canada and over 11 countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 65,000 CAREGiversSM worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible. The Home Instead Senior Care network strives to partner with each client and his or her family members to help meet that individual’s needs. Services span the care continuum – from providing personal care to specialized Alzheimer’s care and hospice support. Also available are family caregiver education and support resources.At Home Instead Senior Care, it’s relationship before task, while striving to provide superior quality service.