Burnaby, BC – The BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) in partnership with Health Arts Society (HAS) is launching 40 “Concerts in Care” performances in designated seniors care homes and assisted living sites on Vancouver Island, the B.C. Interior, and in the Lower Mainland. The concerts, and other special projects, are sponsored through a grant from BCCPA announced at the organization’s 40th anniversary conference in Whistler last May. The first concert happens this Monday, September 11th in Agassiz.
Says Health Minister Adrian Dix, “Thanks to the BC Care Providers and the Health Arts Society for this amazing concert series. It is a fitting celebration of the ongoing success of the ‘Concerts in Care’ program and the BCCPA’s 40th Anniversary. Transforming care homes into mini-concert halls, 40 times all over B.C., will bring the joy of music and performance to residents, their families and staff. Chapeau!”
Through the Concerts in Care program, Health Arts Society delivers professional musical performances to residents of long term care and assisted living sites across British Columbia, providing those isolated from the arts community the experience of enjoying the performing arts in their own health care setting.
“These musical performances bring joy and warm memories for our elderly loved ones in our care,” says BCCPA board president Karen Baillie. “Our board wanted to mark the occasion of BCCPA’s 40th anniversary with a concert series that aligned with our focus on the quality of life of BC’s seniors.”
Residents, their families, and staff all get to enjoy the stimulating, live 45-minute performances. The BCCPA has supported the Concerts in Care program over the years as part of its commitment to enhance the quality of life for BC seniors.
“We are excited about the new Concerts in Care series and our partnership with BC Care Providers Association,” says HAS Founder and Executive Director David Lemon. “Staging 40 concerts to coincide with BCCPA’s 40th anniversary is a good occasion to add to the quality of life of seniors around the province.”
A full schedule of the dates, venues, and which of Health Arts Society performers will be showcased will be posted at bccare.ca/concertsincare. The programs are open to residents of the care home, as well as other seniors living in the nearby community, where space allows. Reservations are required as space for each performance will be limited.
MEDIA CONTACT
Rumana D’Souza
BCCPA Digital Media and Communications Coordinator
604-736-4233, ext 235
rumana@bccare.ca
ABOUT BCCPA
Established in 1977, the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) is the largest industry association representing the seniors care sector in British Columbia, and is the voice for the majority of the B.C.’s non-government providers of residential care, assisted living, home care and home support. BCCPA’s membership includes over 300 organizations delivering residential care, assisted living, home support, and commercial products and services. Our members care for more than 16,000 seniors annually in residential care and assisted living, and over 11,000 each year through home care & home support services.
ABOUT HEALTH ARTS SOCIETY
Health Arts Society was founded in the first days of 2006 to meet the need for high quality live professional arts programs for people in health care sites. The largest audiences in health care for arts programs are found in residences for elders. Combined with its sister societies in every province, the organization now the largest lively arts presenter in Canada to people in care, bringing the talents of some of the nation’s finest performers to people who cannot now enjoy performances in concert halls and theatres.
