COVID-19 has left many seniors in long-term care homes feeling lonely and disconnected from their families and friends. To help reconnect residents to their families, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has partnered with Westcap Management Ltd. to help them reconnect virtually.
Working closely with the COVID-19 Hospital Fund, a collaboration between St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, Royal University Hospital Foundation and Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, Westcap has donated $250,000 towards the purchase of over 330 iPads, and the cost of the data plans. The iPads will be distributed to SHA long-term care homes across the province.
“Westcap’s generous donation will enable many of the residents in our long-term care homes across Saskatchewan to connect with family and friends, helping us fight loneliness and isolation in these challenging times,” said Debbie Sinnett, Executive Director, Continuing Care, Integrated Urban Health.
“At the most difficult times, Saskatchewan people naturally come together, lend support, and do whatever they need to in order to help others,” says Grant Kook, President, CEO and founder of Westcap. “People in this province take care of each other. The acts of kindness and humanity is something positive that is coming from this crisis, and it is a humbling experience for me to witness.”
During a time when physical distancing is important for the safety of all long-term care residents and their families, Westcap’s donation will help families stay connected virtually until we are confident that we can safely reduce visitor restrictions and reunite families.
“I think of my parents, who are unfortunately no longer with us, and I can’t imagine how this would be for them, and for my family, if we were unable to visit,” said Kook.
“On behalf of Westcap, and my own family, we want to keep families across Saskatchewan connected at this difficult time, and we could not help but think of our seniors, our most vulnerable population. We also thank our caregivers on the frontlines who identified the critical need for virtual connection, providing Westcap the opportunity to help.”
“Giving to our community can happen in many ways in these stressful times. Our hospital and healthcare foundations play a more important role than ever during these times, and I encourage those that have the means to donate through their local foundation,” said Kook.
Westcap is a local venture capital and private equity fund manager focused on Saskatchewan.
