CHEK Upside: Group of Vancouver Island caregivers surprise seniors with early Valentine’s Day surprise

CHEK

Earlier this week, Geraldine and George DelFabro welcomed an unexpected visitor to the door.

“This is better than winning the lottery,” said Geraldine, as the senior opened up a gift bag and valentine’s day card next to her long-time husband George. “This is wonderful.”

And they weren’t alone in receiving the pleasant surprise.

Caregivers from Home Instead Senior Care made special visits to all 50 clients from Campbell River to Duncan.

“We just thought it was perfect for Valentine’s Day to give back to show that their caregivers really love their clients,” said Melissa King, franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care in Nanaimo.

King, along with her friend and colleague Tracie Robertson, led an army of caregivers in providing cards and gifts, which were specifically personalized for each client, including John Allison who is legally blind.

“So the caregivers went out and made a tactile card and it was quite big, and so he got to find the ladybugs and peel the sunflower seeds…..I think his words were, ‘what did I do to deserve something like this’,” said King.

It’s a seemingly small gesture that makes a world of difference. A healthy dose of kindness in these isolated times.

“More than I could’ve expected from so-called strangers,” said Geraldine.

“It was the highlight of our day just to go and show them a little gift and to see their smiles,” said Robertson, who owns the Home Instead franchise in Courtenay.

Kevin CharachKevin Charach

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