Donation provides critical lifeline for seniors

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation recently recognized the Vancouver Firefighters’ Charitable Society (VFCS) for their generous donation of $10,000 to the Short-Term Assessment and Treatment (STAT) Centre at VGH to support elderly patients prior to their discharge.

This first-time collaboration between the firefighters, Philips Lifeline and the STAT Centre will allow patients to receive medical alert service and access to help 24/7, at the push of a button. The device is worn as a wristband or pendant and automatically detects falls and triggers a call for help.

Additionally, the Vancouver Firefighters will donate their time to install the equipment in the homes of seniors, helping to minimize costs and extend the service to more people.

This donation demonstrates the VFCS’s commitment to providing the best care possible for seniors in B.C., and for this we are very grateful.

“I think every firefighter has seen this type of scenario many times, but whenever it happens, I always feel a deep sadness: Elderly people who have fallen in their homes, maybe broken a hip, maybe had a stroke or a heart attack, and can’t reach a phone to call for help,”  says Nils Gorseth, Vancouver firefighter and executive director of the VFCS.