If you’re an older adult, retiree, or a caregiver to an aging loved one, you already possess something priceless: wisdom and empathy. You’ve seen firsthand the challenges that come with growing older — social isolation, loneliness, chronic illness, and sometimes, the shadow of dementia. And because you’ve lived it, you care more deeply than most about ensuring that older adults receive the compassion, dignity, and care they deserve.
At Eldercare Foundation, we see this passion reflected in those who choose to give back. Most of our supporters are people aged 65 and older. They are people who understand the realities of aging and want to make a difference in the lives of others.
Many tell us, “I wish I could give more, but I’m living on a fixed income.” What they often don’t realize is that some of the most impactful gifts in our history have come from people just like them, ordinary Islanders who found a way to create an extraordinary legacy through their will.
Eldercare itself began in 1982 from a legacy gift. Margaret Nicholson, a resident at Glengarry long-term care home, left a portion of her estate to help others. Her generosity became the foundation upon which Eldercare was built. Though Margaret may not have been able to give such a gift during her lifetime, her bequest enriched the lives of Glengarry residents for more than 35 years.
Today, Eldercare supports eight long-term care homes and provides comfort, connection, and joy to more than 1,000 residents each year. Plans to expand across Vancouver Island are underway.
Just one year after Margaret’s gift, another remarkable woman, Ruth Gardner, left her own mark. A psychologist and social worker who dedicated her career to helping others, Ruth ensured that her compassion would live on through a remainder gift in her will.
After her loved ones were cared for, the remainder of her estate was left to Eldercare. That seed of $53,215 grew into something much larger: the Ruth A. Gardner Research Award, now supporting innovative research at the University of Victoria’s Institute for Aging and Lifelong Health. To date, Ruth’s legacy has funded more than $150,000 in research grants — a gift that continues to give, year after year.
There are many others like Margaret and Ruth. In 2013, George Haslett of Sooke left a gift of $141,000 to ensure that the West Shore Adult Day Program could continue offering social connection, therapy, and respite for seniors and their caregivers.
In fact, every major step forward that’s Eldercare has taken, from helping seniors age in place at home, to enhancing long-term care, to advancing research and education, has been fueled by legacy gifts.
These gifts didn’t come from the wealthy or the powerful. They came from people who understood aging. People who had lived through its challenges and joys and wanted to make things better for others, without diminishing their own security or the support they left for loved ones.
A few simple lines in a will can become a lasting gesture of kindness, compassion, and community.
You, too, could create a legacy that will touch generations of Island families and help ensure that seniors receive the care, dignity, and joy they deserve for years to come.
Want to learn more about legacy giving? Speak with a trusted financial advisor or call our Executive Director, Tom Arnold, at 250-370-5640 or email tom@eldercarefoundation.org.
Eldercare Foundation of Vancouver Island is a registered charity that believes all seniors deserve the chance to age with dignity. We raise funds to enhance long-term care, support aging in place, and advance education for caregivers and healthcare professionals. Eldercare also offers free public health education sessions to support and enrich your aging journey at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre.
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