‘Be a Santa to a Senior’ and Brighten Local Seniors’ Holiday Season
Hamilton, ON – Nov. 14, 2018 – Did you know, according to recent Statistics Canada data, as many as 1.4 million elderly Canadians report feeling lonely?1 Each year, these seniors have fewer family members and friends to provide company and care to them, which often can lead to social isolation. The holidays can be especially hard for those who are living independently and may feel lonely.
That’s why the Home Instead Senior Care® Office serving Hamilton is inviting the community to come together to provide gifts and holiday cheer to seniors who may be isolated from friends or family this holiday season through its Be a Santa to a Senior® program. The Hamilton office has participated in Be A Santa to a Senior for 5 years and has served approximately 500 seniors.
“Be a Santa to a Senior” helps bring comfort and a smile to many seniors. It shows them that people care about them and see them as an important part of the community,” said Jeremy Grant of the Hamilton Home Instead Senior Care office. “Social isolation is a concern among seniors and the holidays often intensify feelings of distance and loneliness. When we deliver the gifts and spend some time with them, it makes a big difference.”
Be a Santa to a Senior is a true community program, getting generous support from Hamilton businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, numerous volunteers and members of the community. The local Home Instead Senior Care office has partnered with Catholic Family Services, Ancaster Community Services, various long-term care homes and local hospitals to help with gift collection and distribution.
It’s easy to help out. Go to one of the participating locations listed below and look for the Be a Santa to a Senior tree on display from Nov 14th to Dec 5th. Each tree will be decorated with 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 in time for the holidays.
“We’re always excited to see how much Be a Santa to a Senior boosts seniors’ spirits during the holiday season,” said Grant. “And we are grateful to be a part of a community that comes together to make this happen.”
Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at the following locations:
- Limeridge Mall (across from Kavar Jewellers, entrance 3 )
- Ancaster Community Services
- The Home Instead Hamilton Office (108 George Street, 2nd floor Hamilton)
For more information about the program, visit BeaSantatoaSenior.ca or call (905) 521-5500.
For more information about how you can help seniors in isolation in your community, visit imreadytocare.ca
Media Coverage
Global Newsr: Be a Santa to a Senior program is underway
CHCH News: Be a Santa to a Senior
Hamilton Spectator: Photos: Be a Santa to a Senior
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 1,100 independently owned and operated franchises that provide more than 60 million hours of care throughout Canada and 11 other countries. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 70,000 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 partners with clients and their family members to help meet varied individual 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.
1. Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population, Catalogue 82-003- X2016:Vol.24,No 3
