This morning, the Office of the Seniors Advocate (OSA) released a new report on findings following a cross-province tour embarked by the new B.C. Seniors Advocate, Dan Levitt. This tour provided an opportunity for seniors, service providers and community stakeholders to voice their concerns and share issues faced by older adults across the province.
Titled “Ageing Matters: What we Heard from B.C. Seniors,” the report highlights critical challenges in income and affordability, housing, community supports, transportation and health care. Notably, the report mentions the OSA’s intention to undertake a systemic review on access to publicly-subsidized long-term care and comments on the lack of access to home health services.
Based on these key issues and concerns, the OSA provided the following recommendations based on findings:
1. Redesigning the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters Program
2. Increase the amount of BC Seniors Supplement (BCSS)
3. Eliminate the daily rate charge for home support
4. Provide the shingles vaccine at no cost to B.C. seniors
5. Develop and implement a cross-ministry seniors services strategy and action plan
“Our province is currently facing a rapidly growing aging population,” says BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) and EngAge BC President, Ron Pike. “It is imperative that our systems are equipped to meet the expanding needs of seniors.”
“That is why we commend the new BC Seniors Advocate for not only proactively highlighting the concerns voiced by seniors and service providers, but for providing immediate calls to action so that the province is better positioned to navigate this demographic shift,” says Pike.
Read the full report and news release on the OSA website here.
