People living and working in residential-care homes throughout B.C. will benefit from $2.6 million in provincial funding, which has been allocated to purchase new equipment that will help improve safety and quality of life of residents.

“Dignity, comfort and security are what people and their loved ones expect and deserve when they are in residential care,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Government is investing in these long-term care homes by adding new and replacement items, like beds and mattresses and ceiling lifts and sensory rooms, so people can feel comfortable in their surroundings and enjoy their home-like setting.”

The Seniors Safety and Quality Improvement Program, managed by the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA), allows long-term care home operators to apply for funding for new equipment intended to improve safety and quality of life for residents.

An advisory group, which includes representatives from the provincial government, BCCPA, Denominational Health Association and SafeCare BC, oversees funding allocation. Those approved may receive up to $500 per publicly funded bed to purchase equipment and enhance the safety and quality of life of seniors. Applications for a second round of funding will open at the end of August 2018. 

The 88 successful funding applicants will receive more than 1,000 new items: beds and mattresses, shower chairs and tubs, mobility equipment – such as floor and ceiling lifts, lighting and visual aids, sensory rooms, music therapy and ergonomic furniture – such as specialized chairs and tables. Preventative and urgent response systems were funded to promote both resident and employee safety.

“We look forward to continue working with our partners as they continue with this important work of improving services for those in residential-care homes,” said Anne Kang, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors.

“BCCPA is extremely pleased to see these dollars invested into strengthening the delivery of seniors care,” said Daniel Fontaine, BCCPA chief executive officer. “With our partners in the Ministry of Health, we have established a simple and fair system to make sure all publicly funded long-term care providers can purchase new equipment that will improve safety and quality of life for B.C. seniors.”

“Revera is very grateful to the Ministry of Health and the BC Care Providers Association for making this important safety equipment funding available,” said JP Cadeau, Revera’s vice president, operations, transformation, redevelopment. “We all share a commitment to the safety and quality care of all residents, and we welcome investments like this that contribute to the most supportive environment possible for the seniors we serve.”

Residential care provides 24-hour professional care and supervision in a protective, supportive environment for people with complex care needs, who can no longer be cared for in their own homes or in an assisted-living residence.

Through Budget 2018, government is investing $548 million over three years to improve care for seniors, including investments in primary care, home and community care, residential care and assisted living. This funding comes in addition to the $250 million in federal funding for home and community care, which will assist many seniors, along with the $189 million from the Ministry of Health’s base budget that has been allocated for seniors’ care.

Learn More:

For a list of residential care homes receiving funding, please visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Backgrounder_new_equipment.pdf

For more information on the Seniors Safety and Quality Improvement Program, please visit:
http://bccare.ca/programs/ssqip/