Burnaby, BC (September 15, 2017) – In response to today’s report issued by the Office of the Seniors Advocate (“OSA”) on the results of their Residential Care Satisfaction Survey, BC Care Providers Association (“BCCPA”) say they are encouraged to see that the OSA’s recommendations align with earlier seniors care sector advocacy.
In the report attached to the survey findings, the majority of the eight recommendations made by the OSA – including increasing direct care hours, improving culinary options, and other measures to increase quality of life – were championed by BCCPA’s “Care Can Be There” campaign at the beginning of the year.
The OSA survey involved asking over 130 questions of residents living in publicly funded care homes who are typically aged 88 years old and up.
“At a high level I think the continuing care sector as a whole can support the recommendations put forward by the Seniors Advocate in today’s report,” says Daniel Fontaine, BCCPA CEO. “Last year we invited the B.C. government to consider making investments in a new Seniors Quality of Life Fund that would increase access to recreational activities and food choices.
“In fact, the Legislature’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services agreed, and put it in their own recommendations last fall,” says Fontaine. “The OSA’s recommendations reiterate a lot of what has been advocated for in the past.”
In its report issued on January 24, 2017, titled “Strengthen Seniors Care: A Made-in-BC Roadmap,” BCCPA put forward its case for a $100 per senior/per month Seniors Quality of Life Fund that would provide residents in care homes access to increased culinary options, life-fulfilling occupational and recreational therapy, and musical events like the Association’s recently launched Concerts in Care series. It would also serve to support the needs of seniors receiving publicly funded home care services across the province.
“Notwithstanding legitimate concerns we have regarding the survey’s methodology,” says Fontaine, “now that we have these recommendations the question is how do we act upon them? Given the millions spent on conducting the survey, we still don’t know what the cost of these recommendations will be, and whether they will be fully funded.”
“We look forward to working with the Ministry of Health and the Health Authorities to explore how to strengthen the quality of life and care for BC’s seniors.”
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MEDIA RESPONSE
Globe and Mail: B.C. residential care system needs substantial staff increase to meet seniors’ needs, report finds
Postmedia: Survey finds staffing levels a major concern in B.C. seniors’ care homes
News 1130 Radio:
.@FontaineNW w @BCCareProviders and @JM_Whiteside w @HospEmpUnion support latest @SrsAdvocateBC report which recommends hiring more staff.
— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) September 15, 2017
Radio NL (Kamloops):
Concerns raised about seniors care in BC detailed in report from Seniors Advocate. Details: https://t.co/OHvZp4E3Iy
— RadioNLNews (@RadioNLNews) September 16, 2017
CKNW Radio News:
Survey gives mixed grades to B.C. seniors’ care homes
Jill Bennett Show – interview with Daniel Fontaine (September 16th)
https://soundcloud.com/bc-care-providers-583453035/interview-with-daniel-fontaine-on-osa-report
CKNW News
https://soundcloud.com/bc-care-providers-583453035/bccpa-response-to-seniors-advocate-report
