Operation Elder Care

In January 2008, Project Smile officially launched the Operation Elder Care program. This program donates stuffed animals to elderly residents of nursing homes. While obtaining feedback from participating departments, Project Smile learned that stuffed animals are frequently used to help calm elderly people who come into contact with police or paramedics and are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. Stuffed animals can offer the same level of comfort to an elderly person as they do to a child. Based on that feedback and feedback from people who work extensively with elderly patients in nursing homes and/or hospitals, Project Smile decided to launch Operation Elder Care. 

The gift of a stuffed animal offers a tangible gesture of warmth and compassion, both of which are greatly needed. 

"Our residents here at the Hopedale Garden Continuing Care Center were so grateful and excited to receive your gift of beautiful stuffed animals. Something that we take for granted everyday like getting a doll or stuffed animal from someone for a holiday or birthday seems so much more now to me now that I have seen the response and reactions from my residents. I saw residents smile and laugh that have not been that happy in a long time. I work with these residents every day and I was brought to tears when I saw the smiles on their faces. Thank you and your new ELDER CARE ORGANIZATION. Please keep it going you are making so many people happy by your thoughtfulness. Knowing that there are caring people out there like you makes us realize how wonderful the world can be."



Tara,

Activities Director

Hopedale Continuing Care