Courtenay-Comox MLA Brennan Day described a recent report by the BC Seniors Advocate a "wake-up call" about shortcomings when it comes to seniors' care in B.C.

The Monitoring Seniors Services 2024 Report was released by the Office of the Seniors Advocate on Dec. 11.

"B.C. seniors are living longer and staying healthier until later in life but wait lists for vital services to support healthy aging continue to grow," the report says.

The report tracks trends over time for demographics, demographics, health care, completed surgeries, home support, long-term care, housing, rent and income supports, and abuse.

鈥淯nfortunately, despite government investment in seniors鈥� services, we continue to fall behind meeting many basic needs. There is less home care, long-term care beds, rent subsidies and subsidized seniors housing available today per population compared to five years ago,鈥� said BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt. 鈥淭his is particularly worrisome when the seniors鈥� population in B.C. has grown 45 per cent over the past 10 years and will continue to increase over the next decade.

鈥淭he new government must develop an action oriented, measurable cross-ministry seniors鈥� plan that defines how it will meet the growing needs of a population we have known for decades will access significant public services as they age,鈥� said Levitt. 鈥淪eniors and their families must feel that health care, housing and social supports will be available when they鈥檙e needed.鈥�

According to the report, the percentage of people over 85 years old increased by 10 per cent in the past five years. However, the number of applications for seniors subsidized housing saw a 59 per cent increase over the same period. Levitt said that the wait list for the Better at Home program increased by 56 per cent since 2019, and the number of reports made to the Seniors Abuse and Information Line was up 92 per cent over the past five years.

鈥淭hese numbers aren鈥檛 just statistics鈥攖hey represent real people, real families, and real suffering,鈥� said Day. 鈥淪eniors built this province. They deserve respect, dignity, and timely access to the care they need.鈥�

Day proposed several immediate actions, including:

• Developing a coordinated seniors鈥� care plan with measurable goals.
• Building 5,000 new long-term care beds to address growing waitlists.
• Partnering with non-profits and developers to expand affordable housing options for seniors.
• Enhancing tax credits and respite care for family caregivers.
• Increasing funding and resources to combat elder abuse and ensure swift action on reported cases.

鈥淭his report is a wake-up call for all British Columbians,鈥� said Day. 鈥淪uccessive governments have known for decades that the 鈥楪rey Wave鈥� was coming, yet here we are鈥攆acing skyrocketing wait lists, rising elder abuse, and a severe lack of affordable housing for seniors.

鈥淲e need a coordinated, cross-ministry plan to ensure seniors can age with dignity,鈥� Day said.