Kelowna roundtables expected to focus on care worker shortage

On Thursday in Kelowna, BCCPA’s Mike Klassen and Rebecca Morris will meet with home care and assisted living (A.L.) providers. Both roundtable events will be part of an eight-part, province-wide listening tour.

“To inform our research and advocacy efforts we have made sure that the listening forums are open to both BCCPA members and non-members,” says Klassen. “Our roundtable participants will have the floor, though a common theme of these gatherings has been Health and Human Resources. We believe that the feedback we receive will help shape the future of elder care in B.C.”

“Coming to Kelowna will broaden our understanding of the challenges and opportunities care providers face in the Central Okanagan,” adds Morris, BCCPA’s new Manager of Public Affairs for assisted living and home care. “We know that every region in the province is unique.”

During their stay, Kelowna will also play host to a caucus meeting of the governing Liberal Party of Canada.

“We think we have an important message to share with our elected leaders in the federal government around strengthening the workforce for seniors care, particularly in remote rural and First Nations communities,” adds Klassen. “We believe that both the federal and provincial governments are open to supporting new initiatives that will improve care and create employment where it is needed most.”

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Earlier this summer BCCPA announced the appointment of Lara Croll in the newly created position of Health and Human Resources (HHR) Analyst, which was developed in response to the HHR issues – chronic labour shortages, significant retention issues, fiscal challenges and high rates of workplace injuries – facing the system.