‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ Program Provides Comfort, Companionship and Cheer to Hamilton Seniors
Hamilton, ON – Nov. 14, 2017 – While many seniors enjoy being able to live independently, the holidays can be a difficult time for those who are unable to spend them with friends or loved ones. In fact, isolated seniors are at greater risk for depression, low self-esteem and developing other mental health issues.1
This is why the local Home Instead Senior Care® office serving Hamilton is inviting the community to come together to bring some comfort and holiday cheer to area seniors and older adults through its Be a Santa to a Senior® program.
“Research suggests that feelings of loneliness can have a real effect on both mental and physical health. The holidays are a prime time for many people to feel lonely, and that may be especially true for seniors who cannot travel from their homes or have lost their support network,” said Jeremy Grant of the Hamilton Home Instead Senior Care office. “With Be a Santa to a Senior, we are able to bring them some comfort through a thoughtful gift that they might not otherwise receive, but, more importantly, by delivering them with a warm friendly face and kind words reminding them that their community cares about them.”
Providing gifts and companionship at a time when seniors may need it most, the program is made possible through the generous support of Hamilton businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, numerous volunteers and members of the community. The local Home Instead Senior Care office has partnered with Lime Ridge Mall, and Ancaster community services to help with gift collection and distribution.
Holiday shoppers are invited to support Be a Santa to a Senior by visiting a participating location where Be a Santa to a Senior trees will be on display from Nov 16 to Dec 4. Those trees will be decorated with paper ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and their desired gifts. Holiday shoppers can choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it to the store with the ornament attached. There’s no need to worry about wrapping — community volunteers and program partners will wrap and deliver the gifts to local seniors and older adults in time for the holidays.
“We’re excited to get started and see the tree ornaments turn into meaningful gifts and interactions that can make a real impact on seniors’ quality of life this holiday season.” said Grant. “We know there are a variety of gift initiatives out there, and are so grateful to have our partners and community come together to support this important cause that will bring some much-needed holiday spirit to many of our senior neighbours.”
Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following locations:
- Ancaster community services (underneath the Ancaster Library on Wilson St)
- Home Instead Senior Care Office in Hamilton (108 George St 2nd floor)
- Lime Ridge Mall (near guest services)
Government of Canada, Report on the Social Isolation of Seniors https://www.canada.ca/en/national-seniors-council/programs/publications-reports/2014/social-isolation-seniors/page05.html accessed Oct 27 2017
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.ca or call (905) 521-5500.
Media Coverage
Hamilton Spectator: Be a Santa to a Senior campaign seeks donations
Hamilton News: Be a Santa to a Senior program kicks off in Hamilton
The "Be a Santa to a Senior" Program in Hamilton
Since 2013 Home Instead Hamilton has been running the Be a Santa to a Senior Program in the Hamilton, Dundas and Ancaster area
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.
