Activities of the Office of the Seniors Advocate
OSA Ageism Survey
The Office of the Seniors Advocate wants to hear from British Columbians about their perceptions and experiences with ageism, particularly related to seniors. We want to know more about how people feel age discrimination is impacting their lives to inform future work of our office. Please complete our short, anonymous survey to share your perspective and experience. The survey will be open until December 13, 2024.
New Update – Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Directory
The newly updated B.C. Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Directory notes a slight increase in funding but longer wait times for long-term care. The directory provides objective, standardized information on 431 publicly-subsidized long-term care and assisted living facilities in a searchable, online format. It is a popular public resource with over 80,000 page visits per year.
December Message from the Seniors Advocate
Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt touches on recent work of the office, the importance of identifying ageism in B.C. communities, and the holiday season.
Current Issues and Resources
Scams of the Holiday Season
Scams typically ramp up during the holiday season, as fraudsters take advantage of opportunities presented by the increased flurry of activity, shopping and fundraising campaigns. Older people are often targeted because they are seen as more trusting, charitable and vulnerable. It’s important to stay vigilant and learn how to recognize common scams and tactics.
Get Prepared for Cold Weather
As temperatures drop over the winter months, seniors are encouraged to prepare for cold weather and winter storms. Older adults are more susceptible to cold weather health issues like hypothermia, frostbite and falls. It’s time to take precautions by making a winter weather preparedness plan.
Auditor General of Canada Reports on Programs to Assist Seniors
Auditor General of Canada Karen Hogan has released an audit report on Programs to Assist Seniors. Findings show that overall, Employment and Social Development Canada is not using available information to determine if programs are meeting seniors’ needs.
Provincial News
Recent Announcements from the B.C. Government Impacting Seniors
| November 27, 2024 | New hospital in Terrace open for patients |
| November 25, 2024 | Financial assistance available for flood-affected people in the Lower Mainland |
| November 18, 2024 | New cabinet ready to deliver on the priorities of British Columbians |
| November 11, 2024 | Premier’s statement on Remembrance Day |
| November 8, 2024 | Premier’s statement on Indigenous Veterans Day |
National News
Recent Announcements from the Federal Government Impacting Seniors
| November 27, 2024 | Government tables legislation to put more money in your pocket |
Recent Research
Aging and Mental Health: Collaborating on Research Priorities with Older Adults, Caregivers and Health and Social Care Providers across Canada
(Canadian Journal on Aging)
Age-related changes can affect mental health, but ageing-focused mental health research is limited. The objective of the study was to identify the top ten unanswered research questions on aging and mental health according to what matters most to aging Canadians.
What Do We Know About Nurse Practitioner/Physician Care Models in Long-Term Care: Results of a Scoping Review
(Journal of the American Medical Directors Association)
Due to the rise of the nurse practitioner role in long-term care settings, it is important to understand the underlying structures and processes that influence nurse practitioner and physician care models. This scoping review aims to answer the question, “What are the structures, processes, and outcomes of care models involving nurse practitioners and physicians in long-term care homes?”
Risk Factors Associated with Missing Incidents among Persons Living with Dementia: A Scoping Review
(Cambridge University Press)
Worldwide, over 55 million people have dementia, and the number will triple by 2050. Persons living with dementia are exposed to risks secondary to cognitive challenges including getting lost. The adverse outcomes of going missing include injuries, death, and premature institutionalization. In this scoping review, we investigate risk factors associated with going missing among persons living with dementia.