A strong, skilled and supported workforce is essential to delivering high-quality care and services to older adults in British Columbia. Across long-term care, assisted living, independent living and home health, the seniors living and continuing care sector depends on a diverse range of professionals, including health care assistants, nurses, allied health professionals, administrative staff and other support workers.
However, attracting, recruiting and retaining workers remains a significant challenge. Growing demand for seniors’ care, competition for healthcare workers, training capacity and workplace pressures all contribute to ongoing workforce challenges. Addressing these issues requires a coordinated, long-term approach that recognizes the unique needs of the seniors care sector.
BCCPA advocates for a comprehensive workforce strategy built around four key pillars: recruitment, retention, training and workforce redesign. This approach should strengthen education and career pathways, support and retain existing workers, improve working conditions, and encourage innovative approaches to care delivery.
Call for Action: A Dedicated Seniors Care Workforce Strategy
BCCPA calls on the Government of British Columbia to work in partnership with the seniors living and continuing care sector to develop and implement a dedicated workforce strategy. This strategy should include targeted investments to strengthen recruitment, retention, training and workforce capacity, with the goal of achieving four hours of direct care per resident per day in long-term care.
A sustainable seniors care workforce is essential to ensuring older adults receive the quality of care they deserve, both today and into the future.
Find out more here: A Roadmap for B.C.’s Seniors Care Workforce.
Discover More:
