Adult Day Programs are an important part of the senior care ecosystem. They bring older adults together, decreasing loneliness and isolation while offering stimulating activities for mind and body. For their caregivers, these programs offer a break to refresh and recharge. With all these benefits, it’s important to keep these programs accessible to everyone who can make use of them.
Eldercare Foundation helps to fund Adult Day Programs across Vancouver Island. This funding often goes towards many of the extras that make these programs especially enjoyable, like refreshments, entertainment and recreation equipment to make the most of their time together. Our support also extends to subsidizing enrollment fees for some programs.
At Saanich Commonwealth Place, an impressive community recreation and gathering space just outside of Victoria BC, Eldercare is supporting Older Adult Neurodiversity Social and Movement classes. These sessions do just what the name implies – mix gentle exercise with socializing and memory games to provide a steady presence in the lives of participants, while giving much needed respite to caregivers. The classes are designed to be a fun and welcoming space for older adults including those with diverse neurology, such as mild dementia, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Each two-hour session is led by a fitness instructor well-versed in working with older adults, guiding participants through adapted fitness that helps to maintain and build strength.
"I feel like I belong here."
JoAnn Gillespie has been leading this class since it started in 2018. She says that participants are invested in the group, and love to return each week. “It’s really rewarding work, to be able to build relationships with people, to help them feel successful and see their growth, and there is so much laughter. It can be tough growing older, but groups like this can really lighten their load,” shared JoAnn.
For participant Leigh, the program is an important part of his life, saying that “it’s very worthwhile. I get fed up if I have to miss it.” He adds, “it would be hard for me to say a favourite part, I’ve only got good things to say about it. I feel like I belong here.”
The next session of Older Adult Neurodiversity Social and Movement classes starts in September. Visit Saanich Commonwealth Place | District of Saanich for more information, or visit Pathways Victoria Community Service Directory to learn more about finding an Adult Day Program near you.
A full-circle moment Lisa Banks, a now-retired Nurse Lisa started this program after a long-time client had shared that caregiving demands were becoming overwhelming. “The client came in and she was upset, saying she couldn’t keep going to the yoga class she’d been attending for years. The class was really important to her, both for stress management, for health, for maintaining connections to her friends, and to do something that was just for her,” shared Lisa. “But her husband couldn’t really be left alone anymore, it wasn’t safe. He needed a bit more support.” Sensing an opportunity, Lisa realized the centre could help fill a need for people in her community. “I thought, there isn’t any reason that we can’t do that here. We have a safe place, and staff tthat are willing to learn and offer that kind of support.” Lisa did her research, visiting adult day programs and older adult exercise classes around Greater Victoria, and worked to find extra funding. After receiving an Island Health grant for start-up costs, the Older Adult Neurodiversity Social and Movement class began running Today, Lisa is the one who benefits from this program. “I’m a full-time caregiver now to my 95-year-old mother-in-law, and I bring her to this program. She loves it, loves the opportunity to visit with others and get some movement in, and I have an opportunity to exercise, to take a break and look after my own health, too.” “I’m grateful for Eldercare’s financial |