WHEREAS the provincial government created Health Authorities to support the Provinces vision of providing high quality patient-centered care, improve health and wellness and create a sustainable, affordable public health care system; AND WHEREAS Health Authorities need to work more closely with local communities to develop a long-term plan to address the need for assistedsupportive living and long-term care facilities for the aging population of British Columbia: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities lobby the provincial government to avoid the high costs, both financially and socially, by developing a long-term plan for assistedsupportive living and long-term care facilities in consultation with local communities.
MINISTRY OF HEALTH SERVICES Health authorities recognize local communities are partners in the development of planning strategies for seniors housing and care and engage with them. This government is working with health authorities, BC Housing, for profit and non-profit housing providers to ensure the availability of an appropriate mix of residential care and other housing and care options for seniors. This initiative includes long-term planning for both residential care and more independent options, such as assisted living and in-home care and support. The health authority long-term plans for home and community care are included in their three-year health services plans, which are on their websites. Since 2001, the province has made a substantial investment in modernizing residential care, renewing facilities that were an average of 30 years or older and could not be safely or efficiently operated without major upgrades or replacements. Health authorities have been renewing and building facilities as they are required, for now and in future. Health authorities have also been successful at reducing average wait times for residential care to less than three months, compared to the previous average of up to one year. As part of this overall plan, health authorities have been planning new services, including assisted living and enhanced home care, for more independent seniors and people with disabilities who prefer options that allow them to live in their homes or in the community.