WHEREAS the BC Ombudsperson released The Best of Care: Getting it Right for Seniors Part 2 with 176 recommendations to improve home and community care, home support, assisted living and residential care services for seniors; AND WHEREAS the Province released Improving Care for BC Seniors: An Action Plan in response, including the commitment to establish an Office of the Seniors Advocate; AND WHEREAS the Province conducted public consultations in June and July 2012 to help shape the role and functions of this office: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM request that the provincial government ensure that the Office of the Seniors Advocate will, to sufficiently address the BC Ombudspersons recommendations: - be an independent officer of the legislature and fully resourced; - focus on home and community care, as well as health promotion services; - provide proactive, systemic advocacy; - ensure that effective procedures are in place regarding seniors care facility complaints, inspections and reporting; - be accessible and responsive to BCs diverse and growing seniors population; and - support local and provincial seniors organizations.
Ministry of Health Establishing an Office of the Seniors Advocate is a key commitment in Improving Care for BC Seniors: An Action Plan Action Plan, released February 2012. From May to July 2012, the Ministry of Health held province-wide consultations with seniors, families and stakeholders on the role and function of the future Office of the Seniors Advocate. Altogether, 22 public and stakeholder meetings were held in nine communities, including sessions in a residential care facility and a retirement community. More than 500 participants took part in the consultation process. Summaries of the sessions are posted on the SeniorsBC website at gov.bc.caseniorsadvocate. In addition to consultation input, the Ministry received 117 written submissions by mail and email and 12 electronic survey responses. The wide variety of ideas and comments received from the public and stakeholders through the consultation process will help government to shape the future role of the Seniors Advocate.