BC Seniors’ Guide

1 BC Seniors Guide12th FROM THE MINISTER OF HEALTHIn , we want to help our growing number of seniors live independently in their own homes for as long as possible, to promote a healthy active lifestyle, and provide the best possible care and support when and where people need it. Making sure information and resources about services are readily available for seniors, their families, and caregivers is important to help them make informed decisions about their BC Seniors Guide is a comprehensive tool that can help British Columbians with the information they need as they age.

2 It includes information on provincial and federal programs, with sections on benefits, health, lifestyle, housing, transportation, finances, safety and security and other important services. It is available in English, French, Punjabi, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Farsi. The Guide is accessible in book format or online. The BC Elders Guide is a similar resource designed for Indigenous, First Nations and M tis older adults. It was created through a partnership between the Government and the First Nations Health Authority.

3 You can find both the BC Seniors Guide and the BC Elders Guide online at are fortunate in British Columbia to have many incredible services available to help us as we age. The BC Seniors Guide can help people discover these resources. It s important to have this tool as accessible as possible that is why we have had it translated into more languages than ever before. I encourage you to have a copy on hand, electronically or paper, and share it with as many people you can think would benefit from nc erely,Adrian Dix Minister of HealthThe 12th edition of the British Columbia Seniors Guide was printed in may change from the time of publication.

4 Visit for periodic updates to this Guide , as well as translated version available in Chinese, French, Punjabi, Vietnamese, Korean and SENIORS GUIDEM essage from the Minister of Health ..iiKey Resources ..1 Lifestyle ..9 Aging Well ..9 HealthLink BC ..9 Choose to Move ..9 Physical Activity Services at HealthLink BC ..10BC Seniors Community Parks ..10 Move for Life! DVD ..10 Healthy Eating for Seniors ..11 Contact a Registered Dietitian ..12 First Nations Health Authority Eating Healthy andBeing Active ..12An Active and Healthy Brain.

5 12 Alzheimer Society of ..13 Parkinson Society BC ..13 Health Promotion Workshops ..13It s Never Too Late to Quit ..14BC Smoking Cessation Program ..14 Alcohol and Aging ..14 Cannabis ..15 Fall Prevention .. Brain Injury Association ..16 Government of Accessibility Website ..16 Aging with a Developmental Disability ..17 Digital Literacy ..17 Connecting with technology (Canadian Institute for the Blind) ..17 Teach a Parent (ABC Life Literacy Canada) ..17 Gluu Digital Coaching Network ..18 Healthy Communities and Families.

6 18 Age-friendly BC ..18 Better at Home ..18BC Healthy Communities Society ..19B C 211 .. ID -19 ..19 Healthy Communities ..19 Service BC ..20 Elders Transportation Program ..21 Immigrant Services ..22 Foreign Country Contacts ..22 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren ..23 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Child Care Benefit ..23 Volunteering ..24 Volunteer BC ..24 Volunteer Canada ..24 Employment .. Mature Workers ..24 Older Workers Program ..24 Education ..25 Post-Secondary Tuition ..25 English Language Training.

7 25 Recreation and Culture ..2655+ BC Games ..26 Hunting and Angling (Fishing) Licenses for Seniors ..26BC Parks - Campsite Fee Discount ..27 Royal BC Museum ..27A b i l i t y 411 ..27 You r Hea lt h ..29 British Columbia s Health Care System ..31 Health Authorities in British Columbia ..31 Fraser Health ..31 Interior Health ..31 Island Health ..31 Northern Health ..32 Vancouver Coastal Health ..32 Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) ..32 First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)..32 FNHA Indian Residential Schools information line.

8 32 Healthlink BC .. BC 8-1-1 ..33Is it an emergency? ..33BC Health Service Locator App ..33 Medical Services Plan (Msp) ofBritish Columbia ..34 Medical Benefits ..34 Supplementary Benefits ..34 Who is Health Insurance BC? ..35BC Services Card ..35 Medical Services Only ..36 Dental Care ..36 Travel to Medical Appointments ..36 Travel Assistance Program (TAP) ..36 Health Connections ..37 Northern Health ..37 Interior Health ..38 Island Health ..38 Vancouver Coastal Health ..38 PharmaCare ..38 Fair PharmaCare Plan ..38 Registering for Fair PharmaCare.

9 39 Increased Assistance ..39 PharmaCare s Other Plans ..40 What s covered? ..40 Monthly Deductible Payment Option ..40 Medical Services Plan (MSP) and PharmaCare: What s the Difference? ..41 For More Information about PharmaCare Plans ..41BC Emergency Health Services ..42 Acute, Home and Community Care Services ..43 Acute Care (Hospital Care) ..43 Home and Community Care ..44 Who is Eligible? ..44 Obtaining Services ..45 Care Management and Care Co-ordination ..45 Home Support ..45 Choice in Supports for Independent Living.

10 46 Community Nursing and Community Rehabilitation .. Day Services ..46 Caregiver Relief/Respite ..46 Assisted Living ..47 Assisted Living Registrar ..47 Long-term Care Homes ..48 Group Homes ..48 Family Care Homes ..49 End-of-Life Care ..49 Hospices and Hospice Palliative Care ..49BC Palliative Care Benefits ..49 Patient Care Quality Offices ..50 Fraser Health Patient Care Quality Office ..50 Interior Health Patient Care Quality Office ..50 Island Health Patient Care Quality Office ..50 Northern Health Patient Care Quality Office.