Older adults in British Columbia (BC), Canada, are living longer and staying healthier until later in life but waitlists for vital services to support healthy aging continue to grow, according to  the newly released “Monitoring Seniors Services 2024” report. The report tracks trends over time of demographics, healthcare, completed surgeries, home support, long-term care, housing, rent and income supports, and abuse.

“There is less home care, long-term care beds, rent subsidies and subsidized seniors housing available today per population compared to five years ago,” said BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt. “This is particularly worrisome when the seniors’ population in BC has grown 45% over the past 10 years and will continue to increase over the next decade.” Levitt called for an action-oriented, measurable cross-ministry seniors’ plan that defines how it will meet the growing needs of this population.

The new data highlight, among other trends, that over the past 5 years:

• Waitlists for knee and hip replacements for people 65 and older increased 53% and 59%, respectively.
• There were close to 14,000 applications for seniors subsidized housing in 2023/24, a 59% increase; only 6% of total applicants received a unit in 2023.
• Recipients of a Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters subsidy decreased 8%, and the number of clients per 1000 seniors decreased 18%.
• The number of unfulfilled HandyDart [shared ride service] ride requests increased 44%, while rides provided decreased 15%.

In addition, the “Better at Home Program,” which delivers transportation, housekeeping, meal programs and other services to help those who remain at home, is providing more supports to more people, but the waitlist has increased 56%.

“The vast majority of seniors want to age in place and we must do a better job helping people live safely at home – and out of hospital and long-term care – for as long as possible,” Levitt said.

To download the full report, published by the BC Office of the Seniors Advocate, click here