Whereas seniors health and well-being are a primary concern to all levels of government; and for older adults to remain at home for longer, to remain socially connected and independent in their communities, Health Promotion and Prevention initiatives based on physical activity, social connectedness and independence offered by the Community Based Seniors Services CBSS Sector which are key components of the service delivery continuum; And whereas seniors aging in place is best for the health of seniors; their friends and families; for the communities that they are in; and for the control of health care costs; And whereas crucial community-based services include physical activity and recreation, information and referral, nutritional supports, consistent medical care, education and creative arts, seniors centres, and initiatives such that support seniors aging in place; And whereas stronger collaboration of all levels of government and Health Authorities is required to be better aligned and integrated with the CBSS Sector; And whereas municipalities lack the financial resources to address the physical and social needs of the growing senior population: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the federal and provincial governments to provide consistent funding, easier access to grants, and support the development of programs for all seniors in BC.
Ministry of Health The B.C. Government is committed to improving the lives of older British Columbians. Seniors want to remain connected and engaged within their communities, continue to partake in meaningful activities and maintain family and social connections, and live with as much freedom from the impact of their medical conditions as possible. That is why the Province continues to invest in community-based, home support services to help seniors age in place. Through Budget 2018, Government provided 548 million over three years to improve care for seniors, including funding for primary care, home and community care, residential care and assisted living. This funding comes in addition to the 250 million in federal funding for home and community care, which will assist many seniors, along with the 189 million from the Ministry of Healths base budget that has been allocated for seniors care. Supporting seniors to age in place means supporting their family-and-friend caregivers with the right services to be able to continue to care. The Ministry of Health is allocating 75 million of the 548 million to expand respite care and adult day programs, providing much needed support for seniors and their caregivers. Respite services are provided at home through home-support services, adult day programs, or on a short-term basis in a long-term care facility, hospice or other community care setting. Adult day programs assist seniors to live in their own homes by providing supportive group programs and activities in the community. The Province works together with the United Way to administer the Better at Home program in communities across BC. Better at Home provides non-medical, home support services to seniors so they can continue to live independently in their own homes for longer, and remain connected to their communities. Services include: light housekeeping, yard work, grocery shopping, snow shovelling, transportation services, minor home repairs, and friendly visiting. There are currently 69 program sites operating, with many sites serving more than one community. The Province has provided 52 million since 2012 to Better at Home for program operation and expansion, and has earmarked continued annual funding of 11 million beginning in 201819. The Province works with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities UBCM and British Columbia Heathy Communities Society BCHC to support local governments in creating Age-friendly Communities. UBCM receives 500,000 annually to provide age-friendly planning and project grants to local governments. The Province has continued to provide the United Way of the Lower Mainland funding to support the community-based seniors service CBSS sector through support for the Raising the Profile project and the development of a knowledge hub. Funding has included: - 50,000 in 201617 for regional consultations and development of a literature review and Raising the Profile report. The Raising the Profile report shows that helping older adults to remain physically and mentally active, socially connected and resilient can have significant health benefits and reduce health care utilization and costs. - 10,000 to support the Provincial Summit on Aging which took place in November 2017 and again in March 2018. - 720,000 in 201718 to support provincial coordination, and the development of a knowledge hub that will help build capacity in the sector through information, networking, training, mentorship and other activities.