Care For The Elderly Portfolio co-ordinates the planning and delivery of programs that encompass multiple desires and needs of Elders in the Jamat, including financial, educational, social, spiritual and health related issues. Our vision is for our Elders to be healthy, happy, active, resilient and empowered to maintain and improve their quality of life, while being involved and engaged members of the Jamat. A few examples of programs include: Visitation Program to help Elders that would like to have more social interaction and develop friendships; Drop-in Activity Centres to facilitate interaction, education and entertainment; and a Seniors Benefits Program to assist our Elders and their families to access and benefit from Government and other resources available in the community.
The mission of Care For The Elderly portfolio is to improve the quality of life of elderly Ismailis, and to enhance their capacity and the Jamat's capacity to do so. Underscoring this goal, of the 50 worldwide pilot Golden Jubilee projects that Mawlana Hazar Imam initiated, three are in Canada and are related to the improvement of the quality of life of the Elder members of the Jamat. These projects, if successful, will be expanded to other parts of the country in the future.
The first is a “Multi-Generational Housing complex” whose initial phase (independent living units) was completed in 2012. This project provides a means for seniors to age in place while living close to their families and being a part of a larger Ismaili community. Future phases for assisted living and long term care are envisioned to be completed by 2016. The second project is entitled “Creative Use of Time” and will empower older adults to be active, engaged and independent members of the Jamat. This pilot has been launched with a comprehensive caregiver support program. The third project is a “Jamati Centric Day Pilot”, which is geared toward maintaining good physical and mental health and functionality. This pilot includes educational, social and healthy living programs that take place during the day, multiple times a week.
As a Jamat, it is important that we recognize and celebrate the Elders as pillars of our Jamat. We embrace the privilege of caring for our Elders. We can achieve this goal by coming together proactively as families and to assist our Elders to plan for their future. In doing so, we will also plan for our own future. This would put us in an optimal position to learn from the wisdom of our Elders.