Enhanced System of Community-based Seniors Care

WHEREAS access to community-based care for BCs growing seniors population is vital to keeping seniors healthy in their own homes and communities, and controlling cost pressures in the broader health care system; AND WHEREAS BCs Ombudsperson is nearing completion of an investigation into systemic issues in seniors care, and a number of independent reports and studies including from the BC Medical Association and the UBC Centre for Health Services and Policy Research document problems in timely access to appropriate care and inadequate coordination of services; AND WHEREAS limited funding for these services means they cannot meet the need for outreach programming to isolated seniors, social programming to keep seniors active and connected: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the provincial government to significantly enhance British Columbias system of community-based seniors care, in order to ensure timely access to the full range of public services that support seniors centres and community centres; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provincial government provide funding for enhanced seniors outreach and health prevention programs including information services, social networking, and age-appropriate exercise programs and support better coordination among existing services.