About L’Chaim Adult Day Centre
What We Do
The L’Chaim Adult Day Centre is a culturally Jewish day program for seniors (participants) managing chronic health challenges and/or who may have difficulty meeting their own social needs.
Participants enjoy supervised planned activities in a warm, safe, and caring environment. We offer participants the opportunity to socialize with their peers and maintain or improve their level of functioning so they can remain in their community.
Our Goal
Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for all our participants and their families.
L’Chaim provides relief and support for families who care for an older relative. Regular discussion between staff, families, and participants keeps all parties aware of the participants changing needs.
Services & Capacity
The Day Centre can accommodate up to 16 clients. Services provided include:
- Our well-trained activity specialists lead participants’ exercise sessions, discussion groups, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and day trips into the community.
- Participants will receive a culturally and nutritionally appropriate meal that is prepared fresh daily. This consists of a delicious three course kosher lunch that meets our participants’ dietary needs.
- Our skilled nurse supervises medications, monitors participants’ health status, and ensures that any aspects of participants’ outside their treatment program are adhered to.
A Brief History of L’Chaim Adult Day Centre
L’Chaim Adult Day centre began as a joint project of National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and the Jewish Family Service Agency.
This Adult Day Program was to provide social, emotional and physical stimulation for the frail Jewish Elderly who are trying to stay in their own homes and maintain their independence.
L’Chaim opened its doors on September 4th, 1985 in the Maccabee Room of the Beth Israel Synagogue.
Basic funding for the program was provided by the Jewish Community Fund and Council as well as NCJW. A committee was struck, headed by Rita Krivel, Judy Mandelman and Irma Zack, to secure funding from the Ministry of Health (MOH).
After 10 years at the Beth Israel Synagogue, L’Chaim moved to the Jewish Community Centre. The BC government provided $400.000 for the renovation to the JCCGV. L’Chaim began service at the JCCGV on April 1, 1996.
On February 1, 2024, L’Chaim officially opened 5 days a week, and increased its client numbers to 16 seniors each day, which doubled the number of seniors able to attend the program. The expansion came to fruition due to the collective efforts of Jewish Federation of Vancouver, the Centre of Israel and Jewish Affairs, the Seniors Advocate, the L’Chaim board of directors and its executive director.