Editor:
The recent pages in Coast Reporter about the Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary served as a reminder to all of us of the wonderful work the volunteers of that organization do in the community.
For the senior residents of Shorncliffe and Totem Lodge, the volunteers offer companionship within the residence. They provide music programs, gardening activities, hairdressing and nail care, monthly birthday celebrations, summer barbecues and Christmas stockings. The Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary raises funds to purchase specialized equipment to improve the quality of life of residents. And they take residents on outings so they can have lunch out or do some sightseeing or participate in a community event.
All of this enhances the quality of life of the residents and helps to keep them alert and engaged in life.
This will all be lost if residential care becomes privately operated. Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary volunteers will no longer be able offer their services in a privately operated residential care facility. The loss of their services will be a great tragedy for our local seniors and is one more reason to ensure that residential care facilities on the Sunshine Coast continue to be publicly operated.
Rosemarie Blenkinsop, West Sechelt
