Vancouver introduces senior housing plan
The City of Vancouver's first senior housing strategy is now approved, addressing the needs of adults living with dementia. As part of their Healthy City Strategy, the City of Vancouver is collaborating with The Alzheimer Society's Dementia-Friendly Communities team.
On July 23, 2024, Vancouver City Council approved the city’s first seniors housing strategy. The strategy identifies the housing needs and challenges of older adults living in Vancouver and outlines actions to address these needs. The report also acknowledges the lack of culturally appropriate support in assisted living and long-term care – concerns that have been raised by the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
The City of Vancouver has a long history of supporting inclusivity for people living with dementia as part of their Healthy City Strategy, providing dementia education to City staff in collaboration with our Dementia-Friendly Communities team.
We are pleased to see the strategy recognizes the assisted living and long-term care shortage facing Vancouver, as well as challenges to affordability associated with daily home support co-payment fees.
This recognition aligns with the commitment we’re asking candidates in this year’s provincial election to ensure the right support is available at the right time for people affected by dementia through a systemic review of B.C.’s assisted living and long-term care system to identify gaps, as well as increasing the number of long-term care spaces available.
In 2023, the Office of the Seniors Advocate reported the average wait time for long-term care was 215 days (about 7 months). As demand increases and the number of available care spaces continues to fall behind, the barriers to accessing long-term care will only grow. Significant investments from the provincial government and support from the federal government are urgently needed to ensure people can get the access to care they need, when they need it.
We will continue to advocate for improved access to support services and resources for older adults living in Vancouver and throughout B.C. and encourage you to share your story in the lead-up to this year’s provincial election.
To learn more about our election priority areas and how you can raise awareness of dementia this election, click here.