Calabrian Benevolent Seniors Day Program

The legendary investor and philanthropist Warren Buffet once said that “the only way you do significant things is taking on tough things.” In 2014, a group of like-minded individuals – many of them members of our credit union – formed the Calabrian Benevolent Association of Ontario, establishing its charitable arm, the Calabrian Benevolent Foundation, a year later, in late 2015.

Almost from the beginning, members identified one particularly tough challenge: the dignified care of individuals living with dementia.

The Calabrian Benevolent Seniors Day Program, operating out of Humber River Health's Seniors Campus of Care, provides culturally sensitive care to Italian seniors living with early-stage dementia. With COSTI Immigrant Services and under the guidance of medical director, Dr. Giovanni Marotta, it also supports their families and caregivers. 

This unique day program holds special significance for our credit union. Our credit union has been proud to support it since its launch in late 2016 through fundraising efforts such as Una Serata in Calabria or volunteerism; Fausto Gaudio, our president and chief executive officer, currently serves as the association's chair and members of our team often volunteer their time and talents.

Caring for someone with dementia poses significant challenges. This unique program is designed to deliver support and addresses the particular needs of Italian-speaking seniors with early-stage dementias like Alzheimer's disease. It is based on research that shows the decline associated with dementia can be slowed through physical and mental exercises and socialization. In fact, very simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity, can have a tremendous impact on moderating dementias.

It distinguishes itself from other day programs in these ways:

• a three-step intake (assessment) which includes a service trial or try-out day
• empathetic support in the form of hospital and home visits following hospitalization
• education-based activities like drawing classes
• nutrition-balanced meal plans that include healthy and colourful dessert plates
• new support group for caregivers

With an estimated 228,000 Ontarians living with dementia, and with this number expected to double within two decades, this culturally sensitive program is one step in addressing a serious public health issue as well as the life-altering impacts of dementia on our nonni and the burden borne by family members who care for them.