President’s Message

This year, the Extendicare Foundation is celebrating twenty years in support of our mission to improve the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

Looking back over the last 20 years, we have supported several initiatives by supplying seed grants. The funds were critical for these organizations to achieve success with their programs. Our funds allowed the researchers or coordinators to continue to study, gather data and assist families and caregivers by developing supportive programs and gaining greater understanding of the disease and treatment possibilities. But there is still so much to be done. There are seniors everywhere who deserve a better future – one free from suffering the ravaging effects Alzheimer’s disease. As researchers learn more and communicate their findings, the possibility of finding a cure or drug interventions that will reverse or stop the progression of the disease becomes closer to reality.

“The task before you is awesome. It takes faith, knowledge, and courage, but above all, acceptance, patience, and love to deal with the challenges you will encounter in the days, weeks, months and, yes, years to come. For this difficult task, you will need as much guidance as you can find,” writes Frank Wall who cared for his wife Mary during her seven year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. The Extendicare Foundation is a powerful reflection of our company’s values and our responsibility to give back to the communities in which we live and work. We believe that we can play a major role in creating healthy futures for the residents and families we care for.