Close X
Friday, November 15, 2024
ADVT 
National

Legislation Changes Will Allow B.C. Seniors To Live More Independently: Advocate

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Mar, 2016 12:44 PM
  • Legislation Changes Will Allow B.C. Seniors To Live More Independently: Advocate
VICTORIA — Health Minister Terry Lake says he wants British Columbia's seniors to have more flexibility to live independently before their only option is full-time residential care.
 
Lake said amendments introduced Monday to the Community Care and Assisted Living Act aim to allow seniors opportunities to stay longer in their homes through part-time assisted living arrangements.
 
The Liberal government announced in its recent throne speech that it will modernize community care and assisted living. A B.C. Seniors Advocate report last year concluded many seniors have been transferred to residential care facilities sooner than necessary because of existing rules.
 
"It's important that people are competent and able to keep themselves out of danger," Lake said. "But if someone just needs a little extra home support on a regular basis, let's provide that as assisted living rather than bumping it up to residential care."
 
Current legislation means seniors who required two or more of six prescribed services offered in assisted living were expected to move to a residential care home. The services included assistance with daily living activities such as eating, dressing, mobility and personal hygiene.
 
Other services included medication, financial and behavioural management.
 
British Columbia's seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie said previous regulations had a negative impact on people who were still cognitively aware and able to carry on a conversation.
 
"If they suddenly needed help with what we call a therapeutic diet, if they need their food texturized, not allowed. Over you go to residential care," she said.
 
As of last year, there were 4,430 units of publicly funded registered assisted living units in B.C., along with 3,247 units of private registered assisted living.
 
There were 27,421 publicly funded residential care beds in B.C., as of September 2015.
 
More than 9,000 seniors are currently admitted to residential care beds each year.
 
Mackenzie said removing current barriers to assisted living will increase assisted and independent living options for elderly people.
 
"It will be very positively received by seniors, particularly those who are in assisted living now because that's their home and that's where they want to live for the rest of their days," she said.
 
Opposition New Democrat health critic Judy Darcy said she'll be looking for the government to increase the number of subsidized care options for seniors wanting assisted living help.

MORE National ARTICLES

Closing Arguments To Begin Today At Inquest Into Death Of Toronto Girl

Closing Arguments To Begin Today At Inquest Into Death Of Toronto Girl
Katelynn Sampsonwas beaten for months until she died from complications from her injuries.

Closing Arguments To Begin Today At Inquest Into Death Of Toronto Girl

A Border Wall With Canada? No Way, Says Donald Trump

A Border Wall With Canada? No Way, Says Donald Trump
Donald Trump wants a wall on the border — just not the northern one.

A Border Wall With Canada? No Way, Says Donald Trump

Two B.C. Hunters Give Thanks, Donation, To Teams Who Saved Them From Grizzly

Two B.C. Hunters Give Thanks, Donation, To Teams Who Saved Them From Grizzly
Robbie Austin and Chris Eyre were attacked about 200 kilometres southwest of Fort Nelson last September, and they credit CFB Comox members, conservation officers and paramedics for helping them survive.

Two B.C. Hunters Give Thanks, Donation, To Teams Who Saved Them From Grizzly

Canadian Airlines Fear Acceleration Of Cross-Border Travel To Cuba

Canadian Airlines Fear Acceleration Of Cross-Border Travel To Cuba
Canadian airlines say impending U.S. travel to Cuba could spur cross-border travelling by Canadians in search of cheaper flights from American airports to the Communist Caribbean island.

Canadian Airlines Fear Acceleration Of Cross-Border Travel To Cuba

Halifax Pediatrician, 72, Faces Charges Of Possessing, Sharing Child Pornography

Halifax Pediatrician, 72, Faces Charges Of Possessing, Sharing Child Pornography
Halifax police said Dr. William Richard Vitale, 72, was arrested around 6:25 a.m. at a house in the 400 block of St. Margarets Bay Road where officers seized computer equipment.

Halifax Pediatrician, 72, Faces Charges Of Possessing, Sharing Child Pornography

Deaths Show Need For Dedicated Child Advocate In Nova Scotia, Conservatives Say

Deaths Show Need For Dedicated Child Advocate In Nova Scotia, Conservatives Say
Nova Scotia needs a dedicated child advocate after the deaths of at least 11 children under provincial care since 2004, including a 16-year-old girl found dead in a Halifax home over the weekend, the opposition Tories say.

Deaths Show Need For Dedicated Child Advocate In Nova Scotia, Conservatives Say