Last week brought an exciting delivery to beautiful Cormorant Island, just off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island. A brand-new accessible bus for long-term care residents at the Cormorant Island Health Centre, made possible through the generosity of Eldercare Foundation donors.
“Our residents haven’t been on an outing in years,” shares Juliet Bullock, Site Manager at Cormorant Island Health Centre. “Thanks to this generous gift from Eldercare Foundation, our new bus has arrived! Beyond outings, the bus will also provide essential transportation in the event of an evacuation.”
This new vehicle is one of many ways Eldercare Foundation is helping Island seniors live with dignity, purpose, and connection.
Across many Island Health–run long-term care (LTC) homes, Eldercare funds specialized equipment such as wheelchairs, robotic pets, and iPads, as well as enriching programs like music therapy and gardening that bring joy and engagement every day.
This past year, Eldercare has supported more than 1,000 LTC residents — a 20% increase from last year. Thanks to donor support, that impact continues to grow across Vancouver Island, with initiatives such as:
- Funding a secure call bell system at the Chemainus LTC home to bolster resident safety
- Contributing to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation campaign to enhance three long-term care homes in Nanaimo and Oceanside
- Donating a new accessible bus for LTC residents on Cormorant Island.
Eldercare has a long tradition of funding accessible buses for LTC homes and adult day programs — vehicles that open up the world for residents and enrich their wellbeing.
As Executive Director Tom Arnold explains, Eldercare’s mission is about far more than meeting medical needs.
“Seniors in care need more than clinical support, they need experiences that connect them with happy memories and restore a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.”
Thanks to our compassionate and giving community, Eldercare continues to make that vision a reality — ensuring seniors across Vancouver Island can age with dignity, purpose, and joy.