What's New in Home Care at ElderSafe Home Support Services

Sandy McElroy, president of ElderSafe says, “Over the past five years, ElderSafe has grown rapidly by providing the highest level of care to our clients and the highest level of support to our staff. As a small company, we had limited resources available to us. By joining forces with Saint Elizabeth Health Care, we will be able to offer new skills development and training opportunities for staff that will further enhance the quality of care and range of services we can provide to our clients.”

Established in 1908, Saint Elizabeth Health Care (SEHC) is an award-winning Canadian not-for-profit charitable organization that provides health care services to people in their homes and communities. With 4,000 employees, the organization offers a full range of in-home nursing, supportive care, rehabilitation and specialty services, delivering 3.3 million visits annually. SEHC also offers education and consulting services nationally and internationally to support health organizations and the people they serve.

President and CEO Shirlee Sharkey says that while her organization has seen tremendous change in the past century, its success continues to be driven by the simple yet revolutionary idea of putting clients and families at the centre of the system.

“ElderSafe Support Services and Saint Elizabeth Health Care share a strong commitment to delivering phenomenal care and service,” says Ms. Sharkey. “We are delighted to be moving forward together in the realization of this vision for clients and families.”

Virginia Blair was the lucky winner of the ElderSafe gift basket at the Senior Celebration Festival presented by Senior Living Magazine in Victoria on March 14^th.

At the latest graduation ceremony for Camosun College Home Support/Resident Care Attendant Program, Val Seefeldt was again pleased to present the ElderSafe Teamwork Award to two deserving graduates. Congratulations Cheri-Ann and Jessica.

ElderSafe is pleased to announce the launch of Project Lifesaver in Victoria.

This project is a public safety program for Greater Victoria to address the issue of wandering or bolting for families caring for those with Alzheimer’s or Autism. The program uses electronic tracking equipment to locate those who are wander prone.

This innovative is a joint venture by We Rage, We Weep Alzheimer Foundation, ElderSafe Support Services, Search and Rescue Society of BC, Victoria Society for Children with Autism and the Family Caregivers Network Society. Initial funding has been provided by Telus.

On September 22nd Sandy McElroy was shaved and shorn at the opening ceremonies for the 2007 Tour de Rock.

“With the kind contributions from friends, family and business associates I was able to exceed my fund raising goal for the Cops for Cancer event sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society.”

You will recognize Sandy as the bald person wearing a big smile and a Canadian Cancer Society ball cap.

ElderSafe is pleased to announce that as part our support for the Family Caregivers Network Society we have made arrangements with Senior Living magazine to publish the monthly column that Barb Small, Program Development Coordinator with the FCNS, writes for the magazine. Every two weeks we will be posting an additional article from previous issues. Please check the archive link on the caregiving tips page for previous articles.

The ElderSafe Teamwork Award was presented by Valerie Seefeldt to one of the graduating class of the Camosun College Home Support/Resident Care Attendant program. At each graduation we present an award to recognize the student who is selected by his or her peers as best exemplifying outstanding teamwork during the program.

ElderSafe signed an agreement to become a community partner with Philips Lifeline to represent their complete line of personal response monitors. Now by calling ElderSafe Lifeline at 1-866-457-8987 clients will have the peace of mind of knowing that they are with the industry leader in personal response monitoring.

ElderSafe moves their administrative office to 209-2453 Beacon Avenue , Sidney , BC . This central location was selected to better serve all of our valued clients.

As our team continues to grow we required more office space than was available at the SHOAL Centre. On March 5th we opened our new, larger, and centrally located Sidney office.

Valerie Seefeldt has been appointed as the Chair of the Elder Friendly Community Network. The Elder Friendly Community Network is an informal association of service providers for the elder community. Their goal is to facilitate networking and communications on seniors' issues, programs, research, and opportunities.

ElderSafe Support Services has been selected as the fastest growing small business on Vancouver Island by KPMG at the Times Colonist Fast 25 awards ceremony. This event is sponsored by KPMG, Atomic Crayon, the University of Victoria and the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

Sandy McElroy said, “This award is a tribute to the caring and compassionate staff that provides the outstanding care that our clients depend on”.

Sandy McElroy was appointed as Treasurer of the Family Caregivers Network Society. He also serves at Chair of the Fund Development Committee.

The FCNS is a non-profit society, founded in 1989, to inform, support, and educate family caregivers in the Capital Regional District. It was created to help provide an identity for family caregivers and recognition for their roles and responsibilities.