The local provincial PC riding association has donated iPads to several Newmarket long-term care homes as COVID-19 restrictions limit visiting and activities for residents.
The Newmarket-Aurora Provincial Progressive Conservative Riding Association partnered with Compugen, an IT company based in Richmond Hill, to deliver four iPad tablets to four homes in Newmarket; Southlake Residential Care Village, Eagle Terrace, Mackenzie Place and Newmarket Health Centre.
They said the donation is especially timely as the holidays can be a challenging time for seniors in long-term care and the recently implemented restrictions make it even tougher.
"Many seniors across the province, including those in Newmarket and Aurora, have been looking for ways to safely connect with their loved ones during the pandemic,” said Christine Elliott, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora. “By partnering with Compugen Inc. to provide tablets to long-term care homes, the Newmarket-Aurora Provincial Progressive Conservative Riding Association is ensuring that current and future residents can easily stay in touch with their family and friends.”
Tarah Singh, recreation manager at Mackenzie Place, and Russell Borden, executive director at the home, met with members of the riding association outside on Jan. 5 to accept the donation.
"I feel that this iPad will benefit the residents here at Mackenzie Place, as we are in uncertain times with COVID-19 and with so many restrictions and changes, the iPad would be a way for families to connect with their loved ones, and it can also create a sense of activity for the residents to do," Singh said.
Representatives from the other three homes echoed that sentiment.
"We have been able to equip another unit with an iPad to connect more residents to loved ones, concerts, videos of animals at the zoo, the ballet and so much more. This ability to connect the community to our residents is greatly appreciated and we thank you for helping us put smiles on our residents during an especially difficult time," said Melissa Matheson, director of life enrichment at Southlake Residential Care Village.
This is the second year the riding association has partnered with Compugen to donate technology to LTCs, bring their total since December 2020 to 12 iPads.
“Last year, these tablets were well received by the local long-term care homes,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, outreach lead for the association. “While we were not sure what the holidays would bring, as soon as the new measures went into effect, we knew that there would be a need for more tablets to ensure our seniors benefit from the support of their loved ones in the new year.”
