A Helping Hand

A hand up can mean the world to a person fresh out of the hospital and struggling to get back on their feet.

Often, newly discharged patients prefer to recover in a comfortable routine at home. But while healing at home is ideal for most, it comes at a cost. Langley Memorial Hospital’s social work team sees it every day in seniors, new Canadians and people subsisting on a low income, and others who lack the family or social networks that others rely on to cope after a health crisis.

Donor funding allows social workers to use the Foundation’s Whatever It Takes (WIT) Fund to cover expenses for practical assistance to patients leaving the hospital.

Recently, Langley’s TD Bank stepped up to boost the Whatever It Takes Fund with a $10,000 gift.

“We’ve all been at the hospital, or we all have family members or people we know who’ve been treated at the hospital,” says Mike Elliot, Senior Portfolio Manager at TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, The Charter Group.

“At TD, when we give, we try to get the best fit - to [an organization] that will spend the donation wisely - and where it’s going to have the biggest impact.”

Many discharged patients need help cleaning their home, buying groceries, organizing medications or arranging appointments - all practical everyday chores that help as a bridge of sorts while they work toward a greater independence.

Recently, the WIT Fund has allowed LMH social workers to assist new immigrant mothers as they settle home after giving birth, and to purchase clothing for unhoused patients discharged from hospital and headed to shelters.

TD’s gift to the WIT Fund contributes to a healthy, thriving community, says Moira Halliwell, Clinical Practice Leader in Social Work at Langley Memorial.

“We are very grateful for TD’s generous donation to help individuals through their health care journey,” she says.