Dinner with the Docs supports vital senior programs

The Foundation for Senior Care put some added pizzazz in its fifth annual Dinner with the Docs event held November 6 in the Cabaret Room at Pala Casino & Spa Resort, and the fact that $10,000 was raised for worthy senior programs is proof it was well received.

“This year, we kicked it up a notch with The Harmonettes and the Chicago Six Swing Band, which features songs from the 1940s,” said Dotty Metcalf, executive director of the Foundation for Senior Care. “The guests enjoyed getting up and dancing.”

The Harmonettes are known for their well-received Andrews Sisters act.

“They were wonderful,” said Metcalf, adding that a group called the Swing Cats, who like to attend events featuring swing music from the Big Band era “came and got people swing dancing.”

Sue Johnson served as emcee of the event, assisted by Jack Rockwell, president of the Foundation for Senior Care board. Over 230 guests attended the gala evening.

Metcalf said the top sponsor of the event was recognized in a special way during the evening.

“Silvergate [Retirement Residence] received recognition and a beautiful award as top sponsor of the event,” she said.

Funds were raised at the event through a silent auction that featured over 40 items, Metcalf said, which include everything from “an African photo safari, to massages, to Fallbrook’s own green gold – avocados.”

The Dinner with the Docs event is held to show appreciation for local physicians and the care they provide for community members.

“We invited 30 of Fallbrook’s finest physicians,” said Metcalf. “Guests mingled with the physicians and their spouses.”

Proceeds from the annual event go toward helping the Foundation provide support for its three core programs: Senior Care Advocate, Care Van and the Senior/Adult Day Care Center.

The Senior Care Advocate

program provides free resources for seniors, helps them in their endeavor to live independently, and provide help if a transition to a facility becomes necessary.

The Care Van provides free door-to-door transportation for seniors who do not have a driver’s license and can no longer drive. “It provides rides to medical and dental appointments, grocery store, hair appointments, physical therapy and to the Senior/Adult Day Care Center.”

The Senior/Adult Day Care Center offers a day program for seniors and adults that need special help due to dementia and other conditions. The secure environment provides numerous daytime activities so families and/or caretakers can be afforded a respite.

Given the current statistics on aging, Metcalf said the programs offered for local seniors are destined to become more and more important, making the fundraising events for the Foundation more and more vital.

“In 2050, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to be 88.5 million, more than double its projected population of 40.2 million in 2010,” said Metcalf. “With this projected increase in the senior population, [the Foundation for Senior Care’s] programs will be more important than ever for seniors who live in Fallbrook!”

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