Seniors

The provincial seniors advocate says long-term care homes like Mountain Lake Seniors Community seen here in Nelson are already prepared to handle any possible outbreak of COVID-19. Photo: Tyler Harper

B.C. care homes well equipped to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks: seniors advocate

Isobel Mackenzie downplays concerns seniors are at risk

The provincial seniors advocate says long-term care homes like Mountain Lake Seniors Community seen here in Nelson are already prepared to handle any possible outbreak of COVID-19. Photo: Tyler Harper
Home care service for seniors looks to teach empathy through simulation

Home care service for seniors looks to teach empathy through simulation

Home Instead simulates old age so caregivers get an idea of what it’s like

Home care service for seniors looks to teach empathy through simulation
Mildred Lewis (front) enjoys a spin around Polson Park for her 100th birthday, courtesy of Cycling Without Age pilot Jim Wind, in 2019. Program organizers have purchased a second bike for Year 2, which will begin offering rides May 18. (Morning Star file photo)

Greater Vernon senior cycling program wheels into second year

Special ‘trishaws’ saw 500 rides and 4,200 kilometres in debut year

Mildred Lewis (front) enjoys a spin around Polson Park for her 100th birthday, courtesy of Cycling Without Age pilot Jim Wind, in 2019. Program organizers have purchased a second bike for Year 2, which will begin offering rides May 18. (Morning Star file photo)
Sven Donaldson competes in the hammer throw during the 2019 B.C. 55-Plus Games in Kelowna. (Robert Huth/B.C. 55-Plus Games photo)

Registration opens soon for BC 55+ Games in Richmond

2020 55+ Games have been officially scheduled for Sept. 15 to 19

Sven Donaldson competes in the hammer throw during the 2019 B.C. 55-Plus Games in Kelowna. (Robert Huth/B.C. 55-Plus Games photo)
Wilf and Alta Schneider will soon be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. (Carrie O’Neill photo)

North Okanagan couple proof of lasting love

Heaton Place residents celebrating 70 years of marriage

  • Feb 14, 2020
Wilf and Alta Schneider will soon be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary. (Carrie O’Neill photo)
There are over 57,000 seniors living in the Okanagan region spanning from OK Falls to Lake Country. Many of them are struggling to properly manage their medications. (File photo)

Okanagan seniors misusing meds needs to be addressed: seniors care expert

Mismanaging medications often has dire consequences for Canadian seniors, study shows.

There are over 57,000 seniors living in the Okanagan region spanning from OK Falls to Lake Country. Many of them are struggling to properly manage their medications. (File photo)
Assisted living report released on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, is shedding light on the number of publicly funded units versus privately owned and operated ones. (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives photo)

Report highlights need for more publicly funded assisted living units for B.C. seniors

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is calling on province to boost assisted living units in B.C.

Assisted living report released on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, is shedding light on the number of publicly funded units versus privately owned and operated ones. (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives photo)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix listens as Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie speaks about her ongoing work to improve services. (B.C. government)

For-profit senior care homes spend less on staff, B.C. advocate says

Isobel Mackenzie and Adrian Dix focus on private and public care

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix listens as Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie speaks about her ongoing work to improve services. (B.C. government)
Residents of Creekside Landing paired up thousands of socks that were donated to the Gleaners. (Submitted Photo)

Gleaners get a hand from Vernon seniors

Creekside residents paired up almost 3,000 socks

Residents of Creekside Landing paired up thousands of socks that were donated to the Gleaners. (Submitted Photo)
Creating community with Micky Fleming

Creating community with Micky Fleming

Cherish Living Group CEO loves helping others

  • Oct 30, 2019
Creating community with Micky Fleming
Nav-CARE is the result of a three year research project with UBC Okanagan and the Interior Health Authority and is currently available in nine Canadian communities. (Pixabay)

North Okanagan hospice launches volunteer palliative care program

The Nav-CARE program will use volunteers to make visits to seniors living with serious illnesses

  • Aug 10, 2019
Nav-CARE is the result of a three year research project with UBC Okanagan and the Interior Health Authority and is currently available in nine Canadian communities. (Pixabay)
Health Minister Adrian Dix listens while Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie speaks at an event, June 2018. (B.C. government)

B.C. Seniors Advocate questions labour shortage in care homes

Are there really no workers, or are care aide wages too low?

Health Minister Adrian Dix listens while Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie speaks at an event, June 2018. (B.C. government)
Gloria-Jean Seymour celebrates the one year anniversary of Dine and Chat. Photo: Mackenzie Britton/Capital News

Dine and Chat seniors club celebrates 1st anniversary

The weekly seniors club has surpassed 300 members, and now welcomes married couples

Gloria-Jean Seymour celebrates the one year anniversary of Dine and Chat. Photo: Mackenzie Britton/Capital News
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix (B.C. government)

LETTER: Seniors home care, day programs expanding, Adrian Dix says

B.C. health minister responds to latest Seniors Advocate report

  • Jan 23, 2019
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix (B.C. government)
Vancouver Island, Okanagan and Kootenays have the highest proportion of seniors. (Seniors Advocate)

Home care declines as B.C. senior population grows, advocate says

More deferring property tax, using rent subsidy to stay at home

Vancouver Island, Okanagan and Kootenays have the highest proportion of seniors. (Seniors Advocate)
Health Minister Adrian Dix and Mental Health Minister Judy Darcy wait to introduce bill repealing measures that allow seniors care home operators to get out of union contracts, Nov. 8, 2018. Darcy headed the Hospital Employees’ Union during a long court battle with the B.C. government. (Twitter)

B.C. VIEWS: Seniors home worker discrimination finally ending

Health Minister Adrian Dix righting a serious wrong

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Mental Health Minister Judy Darcy wait to introduce bill repealing measures that allow seniors care home operators to get out of union contracts, Nov. 8, 2018. Darcy headed the Hospital Employees’ Union during a long court battle with the B.C. government. (Twitter)
Health Minister Adrian Dix and Mental Health Minister Judy Darcy wait to go into the B.C. legislature to introduce bill repealing measures that allow seniors care home operators to get out of union contracts. Darcy headed the Hospital Employees’ Union during a long court battle with the B.C. government. (Twitter)

B.C. union celebrates end of senior care ’contract flipping’

Adrian Dix says stability is key to increasing care standards

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Mental Health Minister Judy Darcy wait to go into the B.C. legislature to introduce bill repealing measures that allow seniors care home operators to get out of union contracts. Darcy headed the Hospital Employees’ Union during a long court battle with the B.C. government. (Twitter)
B.C. Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix. (B.C. government)

B.C. making progress on senior care staffing, Adrian Dix says

Minister aims to meet residential care provincial standard by 2021

B.C. Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix. (B.C. government)
B.C. seniors in care homes are assessed for their mental and physical ability. (Office of the Seniors Advocate)

Still too many B.C. seniors in care facilities, or at home on drugs

Seniors Advocate watching use of antipsychotics, opioids

B.C. seniors in care homes are assessed for their mental and physical ability. (Office of the Seniors Advocate)
Emergency visits, admission and death in hospital are more likely for seniors in contracted care homes. (Black Press files)

Contract care homes mean more hospital deaths: seniors advocate

B.C. Care Providers Association questions report’s method, conclusions

Emergency visits, admission and death in hospital are more likely for seniors in contracted care homes. (Black Press files)