In rural British Columbia, the senior population faces significant challenges related to several factors including geographic isolation, extra costs and financial burdens associated with living rurally, and limited accessibility to services due to a lack of local specialized services in rural communities across BC. This document provides an overview of the resources available to seniors in rural BC, addressing critical areas of concern including safety, financial support, accessibility, wellbeing, and protection. The goal is to bridge the gap between the needs of the senior community in rural BC and the available resources, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity for a safe, healthy, and fulfilled life.
Better at Home is a United Way program that helps seniors remain independent by supporting the non-medical needs of older adults in BC. To find out if your community has a Better at Home program, refer to the map here. United Way BC offers a number of other Healthy Aging programs including Therapeutic Activation programs for Seniors, Family and Friend Caregiver Support and a Digital Learning Program for Seniors. For more information on all of BC United Way’s Healthy Aging programs, click here.
The BC Seniors Guide is a compilation of resources and information to assist in planning for our future and living a healthy lifestyle as we age. Find a link to download the guide here.
SeniorsBC provides a comprehensive overview of information in regard to health and safety, healthy aging, finances and legal matters, transportation, caring for seniors, housing, home & community care and more for Seniors in British Columbia. Seniors First BC also provides numerous resources addressing several topics that may be of concern to you or someone in your life including legal help and housing-related support.
ElderConnect provides direct access to education, tools, resources and social connection opportunities. ElderConnect offers links to community resources in communities in the Sooke Region, the East Shore of Kootenay Lake and the Saanich Peninsula.
Healthlink BC provides information and support in accessing health services in your community. Healthlink BC can connect you with a local nurse, dietician or pharmacist. You can also access public health alerts through the website. To speak to someone with Healthlink BC, dial 8-1-1 or access the website. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing and would like to use TTY, dial 7-1-1. Healthink BC’s Aging Well Website provides information and links to further resources on community involvement and active living, early disease detection, healthy eating for aging adults, physical activity, planning for the future, emergency preparedness, financial planning, housing, transportation and driving, mental health, abuse and neglect, brain health and other health concerns as well as other resources.
Service BC provides information regarding government programs and services. You can also call Service BC toll-free in BC at 1-800-663-7867.
For those grappling with concerns regarding the summer heat next summer, there are several informational resources available. Please visit HealthLink BC’s Beat the Heat web page to see a full overview of informational resources. See BC Hydro’s energy-saving tips for how to keep your house cool in the summer. The Government of Canada offers information on staying healthy in the heat as well. To stay up to date on current heat warnings, Environment and Climate Change Canada distributes heat warnings here. Local cooling centres are an excellent resource for residents who are being affected by extreme heat. Cooling centres are often in public buildings in your community. To find out more information about cooling centres in your area, please check your local municipality’s website or contact them. Find contact information for BC municipalities here. For more information and resources regarding the current wildfires in BC, please visit our informational page here.
For concerns regarding senior abuse, neglect and protection, Seniors First BC offers support for older adults through services including the Seniors Abuse & Information Line, victim services, an elder law clinic, advance planning clinics, a legal advocacy program and public education and outreach. The Seniors Abuse & Information Line (SAIL) is available from 8-8 on weekdays and from 10-5:30 on weekends. You can reach SAIL at 1-866-437-1940. The BC Association of Community Response Networks (BCCRNs) works to stop adult abuse and neglect through the facilitation of educational and preventative initiatives with stakeholders in BC communities by promoting a coordinated response to abuse, neglect and self-neglect of vulnerable adults in British Columbia. The BC Crisis Centre offers support to BC residents in the face of distress and crisis. They can be reached at 1-800-784-2433, or 310-6789 for their mental health support line.
Living in rural BC and travelling outside of your community to receive specialized healthcare services can often be a major financial burden. For more information on financial supplements for BC seniors, please visit the BC Senior’s Supplement page. The Choice In Supports for Independent Living Grant (CSIL) is a self-directed funding option for home support resources. CSIL funds are distributed directly from the local health authority to purchase and fund home-support services. Hope Air is a Canadian organization that provides individuals with air travel and accommodation support when travelling to access a medical appointment that is more than 70 km away from home. Patients must have a confirmed appointment covered by a provincial healthcare plan and a demonstrated financial need.
Technology can be beneficial for people of all ages to help stay connected to loved ones and access information. The Gluu Society is a Canadian Nonprofit Orgaization that provides free learning resources for older adults in Canada who want to improve their digital skills and build confidence in using technology in daily life. Additionally, Telus’s Mobility for Good and Internet for Good programs provides Canadian seniors receiving at least $6500 per year of the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefit with subsidized wireless service as well as discounted access to the internet services needed to stay connected. Please visit their website to determine eligibility and learn more
For seniors in the Peace River Regional District (PRRD), you may be eligible for the Seniors Aging in Place program delivered by the Dawson Creek Society for Community Living. This program offers affordable services for seniors including freshly frozen meals delivered each week, bi-weekly housekeeping services and snow removal. Similar programs may be offered in other rural communities across BC. Aging in Place and other similar programs are available in many communities across Rural BC.
Kootenay Seniors via the Nelson Cares Society provides services for seniors in the Central Kootenay Region including transportation services, home care, and senior check-ins. The Nelson and District Seniors Coordination Society provides goods and services to seniors and other vulnerable members of the population to maintain dignity and increase quality of life throughout aging.
Nav-CARE is a volunteer program that offers support to individuals with declining health so that they can continue to live as independently as possible. Nav-CARE provides social, emotional and practical support. For those in the West Kootenay region, please visit West Kootenay Nav-CARE collective for more information on the services offered Kaslo, Nakusp, Salmo, Castlegar, Trail, Nelson and the Slocan Valley. For a directory of resources available in the community, click here.
For seniors living on Vancouver Island, the Central and North Island Community Health and Wellness Networks have directories to Senior Resources in the Area. The Alberni Clayoquot Health Network has resource inventories for all stages of life, including a directory specific for those who are 65+. You can find a link to each of the Health Networks on the Island here.
Many rural communities have very active senior centres and volunteers providing care and resources for seniors. Please refer to local websites and directories to find more information about more specific resources in your community. For seniors in the Gibsons area, the Gibsons Seniors Society provides numerous resources and activities to foster well-being and social connectedness.
Libraries in Rural communities often serve as a resource hub for community members of all ages. Learning about the services and resources offered by your library is a great way to stay connected and engaged in your community while benefiting from the services that are offered.
Please share these resources with your family, friends, neighbours and networks. For more health resources, visit us at www.bcruralhealth.org.
