British Columbia is leading Canada when it comes to providing solutions to help seniors stay in their own homes, longer, said Michelle Stilwell, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors.

“At this time of year, it is even more important that British Columbia’s seniors are able to stay in their own communities, in their own homes, with their loved ones,” said Stilwell. “I am proud that here in B.C. we are leading the country when it comes to programs and services that help seniors do just that - from our Better at Home program, to our Age-Friendly BC strategy and the first-in-Canada seniors advocate.”

Better at Home is a collaboration between the Province of B.C. and the United Way of the Lower Mainland. The program helps seniors to continue living independently in their own homes by providing access to simple non-medical support services - such as help with light housekeeping and transportation to appointments.

In 2014, the Province provided an additional $2 million to Better at Home, bringing the total funding to $22 million since 2012. There are currently 61 program sites, located in regions all across the province, mobilizing volunteers to help seniors remain independent in their homes for as long as possible. Looking to 2015, the United Way will continue to enhance Better at Home and will focus on rural and remote communities in B.C.

“Along with Better at Home, in 2014 we continued to work with local governments to provide Age-Friendly BC grants, supporting a variety of community projects designed to help seniors stay healthy, mobile, independent, and physically active,” added Stilwell. “In fact, we recently announced an additional 28 communities that will be benefitting from these grants in 2015, bringing the total number of communities to 135 throughout the province.”

In 2014, the Province also appointed Isobel Mackenzie as Canada’s first seniors advocate. In her first year on the job, Mackenzie toured the province, reaching out to British Columbia’s seniors to hear about their concerns and issues first-hand, and put out her first report, “The Journey Begins: Together, We Can Do Better.”

“I have enjoyed working with Isobel Mackenzie this year, and am very impressed with the dedication to our older population and enthusiasm that she brings to the job,” said Stilwell. “I know that in the next year, she will continue to advocate for B.C. seniors. In the spring, the seniors’ advisory council will be formed, which will provide a first-hand perspective on how we can improve the lives of B.C.’s seniors.

“As we celebrate the holiday season, I would like to send my best wishes to all of British Columbia’s seniors and their families.”

Learn more:

For an audio clip of Parliamentary Secretary Stilwell, please visit: https://soundcloud.com/bcgov/ps-stilwell-seniors-holiday-december-22-2014/s-idus5

To learn more about Age-friendly BC please visit: www.gov.bc.ca/agefriendly

To learn more about Better at Home please visit: www.betterathome.ca

To learn more about the Office of the Seniors Advocate please visit: www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)