B.C. seniors' care and housing require new approach; Overhaul: Government must make pla... - 0 views
www.fpinfomart.ca/doc/doc_display.php?key=pr|246243|vasn|20150923|229864219
from heather bc seniors ltc continuing care housing
![](/images/link.gif)
-
Vancouver Sun Wed Sep 23 2015
-
When Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie reported earlier this year that up to 15 per cent of B.C. seniors living in residential care may be incorrectly housed, many of us working in the seniors' housing sector sat up and took notice. It's not that we were unaware of the situation , but now someone with influence and authority had called for action. The report noted that as many as 4,400 seniors in residential care in B.C. - 15 per cent of the total - could potentially live more independently.
-
The B.C. Seniors Living Association (BCSLA) agrees, and we will publish a report at our annual conference in Whistler this weekend. (A full copy of our report is available at bcsla.ca.) BCSLA represents owners and operators of 60 per cent of the total number of independent living and assisted living units in B.C. Our members provide 14,650 independent living and publicly funded and private-pay assisted living suites throughout the province. We know where the sticking points in the system are - and the logjam in residential care is certainly one of them.
- ...5 more annotations...
-
Our report shows that while demand for seniors' housing in B.C. is outpacing supply as more seniors opt for homes in independent living communities , not enough is being done to understand their longer-term health and housing needs. In the next 25 years, seniors will make up 25 per cent of B.C.'s population. We think it's time for the provincial and municipal governments to sit down with us and come up with a new plan to support the development of more independent housing and assisted living as a cost-effective alternative to residential care.
-
We also need improved planning and implementation of home health services provided by the Ministry of Health and the health authorities to residents of independent living communities to allow them to remain in the communities for as long as possible. There are approximately 355,700 people in B.C. over the age of 75, of which 8.2 per cent live in seniors' residences. Improved utilization and expansion of B.C.'s independent living and assisted living sectors to accommodate residents with a broader range of health and social needs could reduce reliance on residential care.
-
In the past, residential care was the primary option for people who needed additional care and support, but increasing costs and a shortage of publicly subsidized residential care facilities led to the development of publicly subsidized assisted living facilities. Since 2004, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of both independent living and assisted living units, which are often located in the same development and provide many benefits for their residents. But the time has come to take a fresh look at the services available to seniors and how we provide them. For example, the Ministry of Health could explore options to allow registered assisted living facilities to offer a more flexible approach to what and how services are provided to residents. Expanding the range of services could allow residents to return from hospital sooner and free up beds for other patients, or delay their admission to residential care facilities .
-
Not everyone has the resources to look after their own care and housing needs in their senior years, but the public resources to help are not unlimited. That means we have to be smart how we develop and implement policies for our seniors. Carole Holmes is president of the B.C. Seniors Living Association. Elder care in B.C.
-
Private-pay and publicly subsidized housing and care options for seniors in B.C. include: Independent living: A combination of housing and hospitality services for functionally independent seniors. Assisted living: A semiindependent type of housing regulated under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and includes housing, hospitality services and at least one, but not more than two prescribed services for people who require regular help with daily activities. Residential care: 24-hour professional supervision and care in a protective, supportive environment for people who have complex care needs and can no longer be cared for in their own homes or in an assisted living residence.