BCCPA’s province-wide radio campaign to raise awareness of seniors social isolation
December 1, 2017 (Burnaby, BC) – BC Care Providers Association (“BCCPA”) are keeping with tradition by reminding British Columbians that during the festive season they reach out to elderly family members or friends who are living alone or in a care home by giving “the gift of time.” A visit or even spending a few minutes on a phone call can brighten the lives of many B.C. seniors.
Taking its annual #giftoftime public service announcement a step further, BCCPA are launching its first-ever radio promotional campaign during the month of December. The radio spots — which are featured as ten and fifteen second “tags” on British Columbia’s most listened to news-talk stations on Vancouver Island, the B.C. Interior, and the Lower Mainland — will remind listeners to give the “gift of time” during the holiday season to a senior living alone or in care.
“Each December, BCCPA has regularly reminded the public that socially isolated seniors struggle alone over the holiday season, and that by reaching out we can all make a huge difference someone’s quality of life,” says CEO Daniel Fontaine. “Our #giftoftime awareness campaign helps to remind all of us that during the hustle and bustle of shopping and social commitments our elderly loved ones do not get as much attention as they deserve. It only takes a little bit of time to change that.”
The strong interest in its annual #giftoftime awareness campaign prompted the first-ever radio promotional campaign, timed with BCCPA’s 40th anniversary as the leading voice for the seniors care sector in British Columbia.
“Promoting #giftoftime needed to be something more than a one-day story in the busy news cycle,” says Mike Klassen, VP Communications and Stakeholder Relations. “Running these promotions through the whole month of December where hundreds of thousands of listeners can hear them we think will have a bigger impact for seniors and the families who support them.”
Studies have shown that social isolation for seniors have severe health impacts that increase the burden on the health care system. It is shown that those who are more connected with their family and friends lead longer and healthier lives.
To hear the #giftoftime and 40th anniversary radio promotions, tune into Radio NL (Kamloops/North Okanagan), CFAX 1070 (Victoria/South Vancouver Island), CKNW 980, News 1130 (Metro Vancouver/Lower Mainland). Samples of the radio spots are also available online at https://bccare.ca/.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Mike Klassen
VP, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
mklassen@bccare.ca
604-377-5499
