The festive season is fast approaching, and we are delighted to be running our Christmas Gift Appeal for the third year in a row.
Did you know that a third of people living in residential aged care are socially isolated and rarely receive visits from family and friends?
At Royal Freemasons, there are a number of people in our Residential Aged Care homes and In-home Support services without family or loved ones, and Christmas time, when feelings of separation are heightened, is an especially lonely time for them.
Our dedicated staff do a wonderful job of making sure they feel cared for, but we want to go above and beyond and surprise them again this year with a generous, personalised gift.
In last year’s appeal, more than 60 of our aged care residents and In-home Support clients were all delighted to receive a specially chosen gift, just for them.
Emma, a Lifestyle Assistant at our Footscray home, says, “When the residents receive the gifts, their reactions are always heartwarming. Many are very surprised that someone took the time to think of them — you can see the joy on their faces. Some even tear up.”
“The Christmas Gift Appeal really makes a difference in the residents’ lives. It brings a real sense of connection and belonging. For residents who are on their own, receiving a gift reminds them that they are part of a caring community.”
Royal Freemasons CEO Hugh Cattermole says, “At Christmas time, we are particularly mindful of those people in our care who spend the festive season without family or friends. We like to go the extra mile for them and the Christmas Gift appeal is central to that effort, enabling us to purchase generous, thoughtful gifts. We have seen from previous years how this simple act of connection and thought makes an impact and relieves their feelings of loneliness during Christmas time.”
Donations to our Christmas Gift Appeal can be made online.
For media enquiries, please email: media@royalfreemasons.org.au
