A local community project benefiting caregivers can operate for two years, now that organizers have nearly reached their $65,000 fundraising goal.
"It's been a lot of work but I'm so pleased to see everything finally come together," said Ranjana Basu, coordinator of caregiver support for the Cowichan Valley.
A final piece of the puzzle fell into place this week, with a $20,000 grant from the Vancouver Foundation, as well as a recent $1,000 contribution from the Lions Club.
The money will be used to hire two facilitators - one working 17 hours a week, the other four hours a week - to create a network of volunteers.
Family, friends and willing area residents will be trained to assist people in their work as primary caregivers, which includes everything from house cleaning, taking someone for a walk, or simply listening to a story.
In many cases, elderly patients are released from hospital, and sent home where the only person there to look after them is elderly as well.
The pilot program will help remedy that situation, and fill in
where the Health Ministry and other provincial government agencies can't.
In the Central Vancouver Island Health Region, there are 130 home support workers, serving 600 clients and providing 12,000 hours of service on a bare bones budget.
They cover a geographic area from Lake Cowichan to Mill Bay,
Duncan to Ladysmith, and outlying areas like Thetis Island.
But as the valley's elderly population increases, and a shortage of extended care facilities continues, people will slip through cracks.
"It's impossible for government to provide the required level of support for all people in need, particularly seniors at home," Basu told The News Leader/Pictorial in an earlier interview.
"But together we can fill in some of the gaps, and create a caring community where people know and look after each other."
For more information, or to get involved with the project, contact Basu at 743-7621.