Caring for Seniors

Seniors are an important part of British Columbia's social and economic fabric. Today's seniors are more physically active and better educated than ever before. They are more likely to volunteer their time, and through their knowledge and experience contribute in many valuable ways to their communities.

British Columbia has one of the fastest growing seniors population in the country. The province is currently home to approximately 588,000 seniors. By the year 2031, the seniors population will more than double and make up approximately 23 per cent of the provincial total.

Government is committed to ensuring that BC's seniors share in the success of the province. In the 2005 throne speech, the provincial government recognized the challenges associated with meeting the needs of a growing seniors population and committed to establishing a new Premier's Council on Aging and Seniors' Issues.

The mandate of the Council is to ensure the best quality of life for BC's seniors by focusing on the following areas:

• demographic and social economic changes;
• a vision for 2020 with regards to the province's seniors population; and
• pressing needs and opportunities to improve seniors' independence and quality of living, including, but not limited to:

– healthy lifestyles and nutrition;

– independence and quality of life;

– housing options and home care;

– seniors' services; and

– mandatory retirement.

The Council will provide an interim report on its findings and will provide preliminary directions by May 31, 2006 and recommendations for the future by September 30, 2006.

The September Update continues to build on government's commitment to seniors by allocating additional resources to assist low-income seniors with the cost of living and by improving care. These new initiatives include:

• Renewing the Senior's Supplement – eligible seniors receiving the federal guaranteed income supplement will automatically receive a provincial monthly supplement of up to a maximum of $49 per single senior or up to $60 per partner in a married couple. An estimated 39,500 low-income seniors will benefit from this provincial supplement. Payments will be received by the end of October.
• Increasing the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) maximum rental ceiling by $90 in low cost areas and $180 in high cost areas effective in October 2005. The program will be expanded to include owners of manufactured homes paying pad rental. These significant rent ceiling increases are the first since 1990, and coupled with the inclusion of owners of manufactured homes, are expected to increase the number of eligible program participants from 12,000 to 19,200 – a 60 per cent increase.
• SAFER provides financial assistance to residents of British Columbia who pay more than 30 per cent of their gross monthly income for rent, and:

– are age 65 or older and entitled to Old Age Security;

– are age 60 to 64 and are either a Canadian Citizen or a landed immigrant;

– have lived in BC a full 12 months prior to applying; and

– have lived continuously in Canada for at least 10 years as an adult.

• Adding an additional 5,000 new residential, Assisted Living and Supportive housing beds by 2008. The September Update provides an additional $150 million over two years to strengthen and modernize the full range of services for seniors to support a smooth transition as new beds come on stream and to ensure seniors can age in place where appropriate. This will be done through purchasing equipment, such as beds and lifts; infrastructure improvements to facilitate higher levels of care; and training for improved care management and assessment. Of this new funding, $40 million will be invested directly in services provided by partners such as SUCCESS, Kiwanis and the Salvation Army.

Programs and services

Government is committed to providing a network of services and programs for seniors. Not only do several ministries offer programs specifically for seniors, there is also a Minister Responsible for Seniors' and Women's Issues to coordinate policy and provide information on issues facing seniors. Current programs and services impacting seniors include:

Income

• Elimination of the provincial income tax for all people earning less than $15,500, including seniors.
• An increase in the refundable sales tax credit for low income seniors by 50 per cent.

Health

• Medical Services Plan (MSP) – Persons who are 65 years of age or more and enrolled in MSP, will automatically receive a BC Gold CareCard. The BC Gold CareCard is useful as proof of age and residence for discounts offered by certain government programs and many businesses.
• MSP premiums have been reduced for lower income seniors and families.
• Prescription costs have been reduced for lower income citizens through Fair PharmaCare – 82 per cent of all registrants now pay the same or less for all prescriptions.
• Independent Living BC – is a housing-for-health program that meets the needs of seniors with low to moderate incomes and people with disabilities who require additional support to remain independent but do not require 24-hour residential health care.

Housing

• Home Owner Grant for Seniors – reduces the amount of property taxes for eligible seniors.
• Property Tax Deferment – homeowners aged 60 years and over may defer the payment of annual property taxes on their principal residence.
• Affordable Housing for Seniors – seniors who are able to live without any support services or who can continue to live independently with the assistance of home care, can apply for seniors affordable housing developments managed by BC Housing or non-profit and co-op housing providers.

Recreation

• Hunting and Angling Licences for Seniors – these programs allow seniors 65 years of age or over, who are BC residents and Canadian Citizens, to buy hunting and angling licences at a reduced rate. Seniors save $25 on a basic hunting licence and $31 on a non-tidal angling licence.
• Camping Subsidy – individuals residing in BC who are 65 years or older and have a BC PharmaCare card may camp for half the full campsite fee after Labour Day to June 14. This discount applies to the senior and his/her spouse.
• Royal BC Museum – seniors pay reduced admission fees at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria.

Transportation

• Bus Pass Program – provides affordable transportation to low-income senior citizens and persons who are disabled.
• Senior citizen automobile insurance and driver licence discounts are available with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.
• BC Ferries – seniors with acceptable I.D. (e.g. the BC Gold CareCard) enjoy free travel on southern routes sailing Monday through Thursday, except on holidays.

Resources

In a continuing effort to support BC's seniors, the following resources are available:

• Health and Seniors' Information Line – the toll-free 1-800 telephone line offers seniors a single source for information about government services, including information about health programs, services and initiatives. The information line is available Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Toll free in BC:	1 800 465-4911
Victoria:	250 952-1742

• BC Seniors Online Website – the BC Seniors Online website provides access to client-centred information, services and other programs for seniors, from provincial and federal governments. Seniors, their families, caregivers and supporting service organizations can access reliable, consistent and up-to-date information on topics such as:

– Health Services;

– Housing;

– Recreation; and

– Finance.

The BC Seniors Online website is found at www.mcaws.gov.bc.ca/seniors