While the B.C. government had $75 million earmarked in its budget for respite care and adult day programs to ease the pressure on family members supporting seniors in their homes, the delivery of home care and day activity programs to support that actually declined in 2018. B.C.’s Seniors Advocate found the number of seniors receiving home support services decreased by 1.4%, despite a 4% increase in the B.C. population over 65 and a 5% increase in those over 85. The advocate finds the reduction in home support clients puzzling, as these numbers should be increasing. Adult day program access also declined by 6% in 2018, adding up to a 17% drop in program days delivered in the past two years – but the report found there was a 23% increase in the wait list. The advocate says the effect of government funding increases to home and community care isn’t materializing as of yet and it hopes to see this trend reversing next year.
NBHC Care Experience