Burnaby, B.C. (December 3, 2020) – At its Annual General Meeting (AGM) this week, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) received support from its members on a series of special resolutions that will benefit seniors and ensure the stable delivery of health care services for B.C.’s elderly population.
The decisions receiving approval from BCCPA’s membership include expanding our advocacy for a rapid testing strategy for the senior’s care sector, a provincial tax credit program for home care and independent living services, and protections against civil liability for seniors’ care providers.
“While the seniors’ care and living sector continues to face mounting challenges during this pandemic, we need decisive, robust action to safeguard B.C.’s older adults and those that are doing their best to care for them,” says BCCPA CEO Terry Lake.
“The policy motions approved at the AGM propose feasible solutions to address these challenges. We thank our members for deliberating on and giving us the go-ahead to advocate for them.”
A summary of the approved resolutions are as follows:
- A COVID-19 testing strategy for B.C.’s seniors’ care sector: BCCPA recommends that by the end of December 2020, the B.C. government develop and fully fund a provincial COVID-19 testing strategy for seniors’ care and living that includes specific targets around the frequency of testing and test result turnaround times for those working in long-term care, assisted living, home health and independent living in order to help prevent or mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Along with providing priority access to testing and quick turn-around of results, the B.C. government should also prioritize the seniors’ care sector for point of care and less invasive tests as they become available.
- A provincial tax credit program for home health care and independent living services: It is expected that COVID-19 will affect the affordability and sustainability of personal home health services and independent living over the coming years. BCCPA believes that a standalone provincial tax credit could help to subsidize the costs incurred by seniors who access services privately. Along with supporting seniors to age in place and remain independent, a refundable tax credit should also help ensure that the public system can remain sustainable as B.C. prepares for a rapidly aging population.
- Civil liability protection for B.C.’s seniors’ care providers: BCCPA recommends that government introduce appropriate legislation that would offer protection from civil liability for workers, volunteers and organizations in the seniors’ care and living sector – including long term care, assisted living, independent living and home health care operators – who continue to make an honest effort to follow public health guidelines and COVID-19-related orders.
The policy resolutions will be included as part of BCCPA’s newly revised 3-year strategic plan. For a more detailed description and citations on the resolutions, see this page.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Mike Klassen
VP, Public Affairs
mklassen@bccare.ca
604-377-5499
About BC Care Providers Association
Established in 1977, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) is the leading voice for B.C.’s continuing care sector. Our growing membership base includes over 400 long-term care, assisted living, home care, home support, and commercial members from across British Columbia. Through its operating arm EngAge BC, the organization represents independent living, as well as private pay assisted living, long-term care and home health services.
