Seniors tell their stories in social media project created by Bayshore Home Health's Vancouver office

VANCOUVER, Aug. 18, 2011 /CNW/ - Bayshore Home Health's Vancouver office has initiated a unique social marketing project that enables elderly people to tell interesting, thought-provoking stories that shaped their lives, and captures the essence of who they truly are.
Before They Were Grandparents is an integrated initiative that began in July with the first of a series of live, intergenerational storytelling events that also served as the launch for an online component on the Tumblr micro-blogging site aptly titled BeforeTheyWereGrandparents.com. The site welcomes people to share stories, photos, videos and quotes with their own take on the caption, "Before they were grandparents, they were..."
"At Bayshore Home Health, we are so fortunate to have our clients share their stories with us on a regular basis," says Chris Clark, Area Director for Bayshore's Vancouver office. "So we thought why not give the rest of our community members the opportunity to tell their own, fascinating stories. Doing so through social media has not only helped to preserve these stories, but also has given them extended life in the digital world."
The July event, the first of its kind in Vancouver, brought together people of all generations for an afternoon of storytelling, tea and laughter at The Shebeen Whiskey House in the city's Gastown District. The event showcased three award-winning Vancouver storytellers, Melanie Ray, Philomena Jordan and Helen May (story told by Marjorie Lam), and entertained a rapt crowd of over 40 attendees of all ages, after which the attendees sat together and shared their own stories and memories. A video of the event can be viewed on BeforeTheyWereGrandparents.com.
"The home care business is so much about connecting with people, understanding their personal needs and building relationships," says Clark. "Before They Were Grandparents allows us to combine social media and live events to connect with our community and uncover fascinating stories we can learn from, as well as be entertained. Our seniors are a precious repository of knowledge and wisdom, and they have the ability to put a very humorous and entertaining spin on things."
The next live storytelling event for Before They Were Grandparents is planned for the fall, with the date and venue to be announced on BeforeTheyWereGrandparents.com. The public is invited to participate online by posting stories, vintage photos or videos or quotes on the interactive website.
"We love hearing interesting stories from seniors and grandparents in our community," says Clark. "Not only do they have the opportunity to share these stories online, but they will also be participating in a unique historical project."
About Bayshore Home Health
Bayshore Home Health has been enhancing the quality of life, dignity and independence of Canadians in their homes since 1966. Canadian owned and operated, it is the country's largest provider of home and community health care services, with more than 50 home care offices and 20 community care clinics. It delivers nursing, personal care, home support and companion services to more than 70,000 Canadians annually, and also offers nurse and caregiver staffing services to health care institutions and the corporate sector. Its subsidiaries provide specialty pharmacy, infusion and patient support services to pharmaceutical companies and health care organizations (Bayshore Specialty Rx), physiotherapy and rehabilitation services (Bayshore Therapy & Rehab) and dialysis services (Bayshore Dialysis).
For further information:
Chris Clark, Area Director
Vancouver Office
Bayshore Home Health
Phone: (604) 873-2545
Email: cclark@bayshore.ca
www.bayshore.ca