Health Minister Terry Lake and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health for Seniors Linda Larson have issued the following statement in recognition of B.C. Seniors Week, June 1-7, 2014:
“As the Health Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for seniors, we have the privilege of serving B.C.’s diverse seniors population in British Columbia. It is these very seniors who helped to build this province and with their years of contributions they have made B.C. what it is today.
“One of the ways we are celebrating Seniors Week is by proclaiming June 1, Intergenerational Day Canada here in B.C. This proclamation helps to inspire British Columbians to do their part to ensure seniors feel welcome to share their wisdom and to participate in their communities so that each generation can learn from one another.
“This government is committed to caring for seniors and we have been working hard on their behalf to ensure they have access to a wide range of services in a timely, fair and consistent manner.
“Some of the work that supports older adults includes:
* Appointing the first seniors advocate in B.C. and in Canada;
* Investing over $2 million in Age-friendly B.C. Community Planning and Project Grants for local governments to make communities more accessible for people of all ages;
* Providing $20 million to support the United Way Better at Home program, which supports seniors staying in their homes for as long as possible;
* Launching an elder abuse prevention strategy supported by nearly $1 million, which included expanding the hours of operation for the Seniors Abuse and Information Line;
* Enhancing training and support for those who care for patients with dementia through our Dementia Action Plan and investing in community programs that allow patients and their families to access services as soon as possible after diagnosis;
* Improving the way older adults, their families and caregivers can access information;
* Publishing an award-winning advance care planning guide, My Voice, to help British Columbians plan for their future health-care needs; and
* Investing in assisted living and residential care services for those that require a more supportive living environment.
“We value B.C.’s unique and growing seniors’ population and encourage all British Columbians to celebrate the seniors in their lives and to do their part to ensure seniors are appreciated and respected every day of the year.”
To learn more about seniors’ care in B.C., please visit: www.seniorsbc.ca
