Older adults unanimously prefer to live independently at home for as long as possible. However, many seniors are pushed into long-term care earlier than necessary and against their wishes because of barriers to adequate home support. A significant factor in whether a senior can stay at home is the cost of home support services.
According to a 2023 report by BC’s Office of the Seniors’ Advocate, headed by Isobel Mackenzie, providing publicly-funded home support makes sound economic sense. While subsidizing a long-term care bed costs taxpayers about $59,900 per year, providing two hours of daily home support costs less than half, on average saving taxpayers $31,700 per year. One hour of daily home support, which is enough for many seniors to stay in their home longer, saves taxpayers about $45,800 per year.
BC is one of the last provinces still charging for home support services in spite of the fact that providing home support costs so much less than the alternative oft-chosen option when people cannot afford home care. This policy also does not consider the non-financial costs of residential care, such as reduced quality of life, limiting access to the person, limiting ability to stay in touch with chosen family and community, and much reduced independence. All these costs lead to mental health impacts, such as increased depression and more.
Please send an email or a letter to your BC MLA
Demand that they move to correct this current fiasco that makes no financial sense. Please copy the BC Seniors Advocate at: info@seniorsadvocatebc.ca.
Other Significant BC Seniors’ Issues – services, funding, management, and more
For more information about the financial situation for BC seniors as well as the chaotic state of management of BC long-term care for seniors read these recommendations from the BC Health Coalition: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/bchealthcoalition/pages/1784/attachments/original/1686776208/BCHC_Submission_to_2024_Budget.pdf?1686776208
Read the BC Seniors’ Advocate report released September 22, 2022. Click on the title to read. BC Seniors: Falling Further Behind. In spite of being one of the wealthier provinces, BC falls into the bottom tier when compared to all other provinces and territories in terms of overall support of its elders.
2SLGBTQIA+ seniors’ issues
Read the report by Dignity Senior Society titled Aging with Dignity: 2SLGBTQIA+ Seniors in BC, released on March 16, 2023 here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c9553f69d414969eb918334/t/646d174e84af27679d43d83a/1684870991468/DSS+Study+Final+Rev+May+11+2023.pdf
Every voice via email or letter makes a difference. Please act now.
- Use the first three paragraphs of this article as the opening salvo in your letter or email. Conclude with a final statement asking for action from your MLA.
- Please share this article widely with your community and family.
