B.C. Seniors Advocate Report: Monitoring Seniors Services 2024
Annual report from the Office of the Seniors Advocate outlines the status of key services being offered to seniors across B.C., where people’s needs are being met and where improvements are most needed.
On December 11, the Office of the Seniors Advocate released the 10th edition of its Monitoring Seniors Services 2024 report. The report summarizes the challenges and disparities facing seniors, areas where their needs are being met and where improvements are still required. While the report acknowledges some progress, it underscores that more work remains to ensure seniors – including people affected by dementia – are cared for.
- A rise in the length of stay for people requiring Alternative Levels of Care.
- Growing waitlists for subsidized long-term care beds, now 2.5 times longer than five years ago.
- Growing number of seniors awaiting publicly subsidized assisted living units.
- The number of people needing home support has risen, while the rate of service provided has decreased.
- Adult Day Programs have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
The findings in the report highlight the need for substantial financial investment and collaboration across multiple sectors of government. With the senior population only projected to increase and nearly 250,000 people anticipated to be living with dementia by 2050, the time to start addressing these challenges is now. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. remains committed to collaborating closely with government, care providers, community organizations and people affected by dementia to address these challenges.
Take action today and raise your voice for people affected by dementia by sharing your personal experiences. Contact us at advocacy@alzheimerbc.org to learn more about creating positive change for people affected by dementia in B.C.