The information listed here is for seniors in BC but if you do a Google Search with your location in the search, you may find your community, state or province has similar services
Information here was taken from Office of the BC Seniors Advocate website at: https://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/
The Office of the Seniors Advocate
monitors and analyzes seniors’ services and issues in BC, and makes
recommendations to government and service providers to address systemic issues.
The OSA was established in 2014 and is the first office of its kind in Canada.
Isobel Mackenzie, the BC Seniors Advocate, has over 20 years’ experience
working with seniors in home care, licensed care, community services and
volunteer services.
Health Care: Resources for Seniors
There are three main provincial
websites detailing programs and services for seniors’ health care.
View the B.C. Health website to
learn more about:
§ Financial assistance for Medical
Services Plan coverage
§ Financial assistance with the cost of
prescription drugs and medical supplies through Fair PharmaCare
§ Accessing health care services
including assisted living, residential care, and home & community care.
View the Seniors’
Health website to learn more about:
§ Specific health concerns such as
cataracts, dementia and heart disease
§ Advanced care planning
§ Emergency preparedness
View the Planning
for Healthy Aging website to learn more about:
§ Healthy lifestyle choices
§ Protection from elder abuse and
neglect
§ Lifelong learning and community
participation
Housing: Resources for Seniors
There are two main sources of
information on provincial government housing programs and services for seniors.
View the provincial
government’s seniors’ housing website for information on:
§ Home Improvement Assistance Programs
§ Rental and affordable housing
§ Supportive housing
View
BC Housing’s seniors’ services
website to learn more about:
§
Home
Adaptations For Independence
§
Shelter
Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)
§
Assisted
living
§
Seniors’
supportive, rental and subsidized housing
Income Supports:
Resources for Seniors
Both
the federal and provincial governments have income support programs for
seniors. The
federal government runs the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and
Guaranteed Income Supplement programs.
View
the Government
of Canada’s seniors’ website for information on:
§
The
Canada Pension Plan
§
Old
Age Security
§
Guaranteed
Income Supplement
The
provincial government runs programs for low-income seniors to access medical
services and supplies, transportation and housing. It also contains legal
information on protecting yourself and finances.
View
the Province
of B.C.’s website to learn more about:
§
MSP
and Fair PharmaCare programs for low-income seniors
§
Subsidies
for housing and transportation
§
Legal
information on protecting yourself and your finances
Personal Supports:
Resources for Seniors
Personal
supports help seniors live as independently as possible. These supports are
complimentary to the medical services provided by Home & Community Care
programs in B.C.
There
are three key websites with information about personal supports:
§
Visit
the B.C. Personal Supports website for services and programs to assist people
with disabilities, including mobility, hearing and communication challenges.
§
Visit
the Better at Home website to learn more about the services that might be
offered in your community, including housekeeping, home maintenance and
repairs, and friendly visiting.
§
Visit
the BC211 website, or dial 2-1-1, to find community, social or government
services in your area.
Transportation:
Resources for Seniors
View
the provincial government’s seniors’ transportation website for information on:
§
Driving
your own vehicle, carpooling and car-sharing
§
Public
transit, including HandyDART
§
Taxis
§
Walking
and cycling
§
Ferries
§
Volunteer
driver programs
§
Medical
travel assistance
The
Seniors Transportation Access and Resources (STAR) website also has useful
information for seniors and their families. Click here to visit the STAR website.
