British Columbia Resources
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General Resources
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- 211 British Columbia - An essential service that helps British Columbians find the right resource or service for whatever issue they need help with, at the right time. 211 is available 24/7 by phone, text and chat. The service is free, confidential and available in multiple languages over the phone.
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Health Resources
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Physical, emotional, cognitive, and mental well-being. Resources to prepare for support and services that may be required in the future to ensure a healthy future.
- Alzheimer Society of BC - Ensures people affected by dementia are not alone, by educating and mobilizing a broader community of care around them, and supporting valuable research into the disease and people living with it.
- BC Cancer - Provides medical side of cancer information from screening to treatment to novel therapies.
- BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information - A toll-free information line providing 24-hour taped information on various mental health and substance use disorders, including symptoms, causes, treatment, options, support groups and community resources.
- BC Pharmacare - Information about prescription drugs coverage and Fair Pharmacare.
- Choose to Move - Physical activity program for older adults delivered in partnership with YMCA and the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association.
- Health Link BC - Information and support on accessing health services, nutrition or medical care and provides a connection to a nurse, dietitian or pharmacist.
- Inspire Health - Provides programs and services to enhance quality of life, health and well-being of people living with cancer. Offers exercise therapy, stress management, nutrition and counselling services. All classes free of charge. No referal required.
- Vancouver Coastal Health - The Deaf, Hard of Hearing & Deaf-Blind Well-Being Program (WBP) - Mental health services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind people throughout BC.
- Wavefront Centre For Communication Accessibility - Lend An Ear Program providing refurbished hearing aids for those who cannot afford new ones.
- Vancouver Foundation - Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Provides direct services to deaf and hard of hearing persons and their families.
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Home Resources
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The ability to age in place in one’s own home and community, and to make changes to the home to support one’s needs as they age.
- ABC Home Support Services - ABC Home Support Service is a full-service provider from Housekeepers; Experienced Home Support Workers; Registered Care Aides; Foot Care Nurse; LPN’s; RN’s. We assign our staff according to the level of care required by your loved one. We are available for you 24 hours – 7 days a week.
- Ability411 - Provides practical information about assistive technologies and equipment to BC seniors, their family members and their health providers and gives personalized answers to their questions.
- Ace Personnel Domestic Services Inc. - Ace Personnel is a family-run, non-franchise agency that has been providing home care support throughout British Columbia for over 40 years. We provide part-time, full-time, temporary, “Live in or out” Nannies, Caregivers, Companions, Care-Aides, and Household Staff.
- BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations - Provides financial help in the form of rebates to eligible low-income households to complete home adaptations for independent living.
- BC Government Disease and injury: Care and Prevention - Prevention and good care are critical keys to maintaining our independence and staying active as we age. Has Resources to find general disease and injury care and prevention information and advice and instructions for specific health conditions.
- BC Government Fall Prevention - Information about fall prevention.
- BC Government Safety at Home - Information about home safety resources can help you to stay healthier and maintain your independence for longer at home.
- BC Government Seniors Housing - Information about housing options for seniors.
- Bayshore Healthcare - Bayshore HealthCare is one of the country’s leading providers of home and community health care services and is a Canadian-owned company. With over 100 locations across the country, including home care offices, pharmacies and infusion clinics, Bayshore has more than 13,500 staff members and provides care to over 350,000 clients. We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, dignity and independence of all Canadians, by providing customized care plans and solutions that allow clients to remain in the comfort of their own home.
- Better at Home - Supporting the non-medical needs of older adults in B.C.
- Comfort Keepers - Committed to helping older adults in our communities to age gracefully, safely, and comfortably at home while receiving customized senior care designed to elevate their quality of life.
- Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors & Persons with Disabilities - Assists eligible individuals 65 and over and persons with disabilities with the cost of certain permanent home renovations to improve accessibility or be more functional or mobile at home.
- Home Support Services - Home Support services help you to remain independent and lIve in your own home as long as possible.
- Lifeline from Fraser Health - Assists individuals to maintain their independence and remain safe in their own home. Worn as a neck or wrist style help button, Lifeline can assist you or your loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- LivingWell Companion from Telus Health - Medical Alert System providing automatic fall detection, 24/7 emergency support at the push of a button.
- Nurse Next Door - Personalized Senior Home Care Services. Nurse Next Door provides senior home health care that matches Mom or Dad with the perfect Caregiver.
- Route 65 - Online destination that helps match seniors and their family members with B.C.’s leading operators of independent living, assisted living, long-term care and home health care.
- Safe Care Home Support - Offers independence for seniors by providing necessary home support and services to those who need a little extra help in their daily lives. 24-hour care for people who have difficulty with daily activities like sleeping, bathing, and eating. Live-in care services that allow our clients to stay in the comfort of their own home in familiar surroundings.
- Vancouver Costal Health Home Support - Care at home to support your independence and quality of life. Our services supplement how you care for yourself, in addition to supports provided by your family, friends, community, or other available services.
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Transportation Resources
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Access to and modes of transportation to consider as one ages.
- HandyDART Custom Transit - Door-to-door, shared ride service for passengers with physical or cognitive disabilities who are unable to use conventional public transit without assistance.
- ICBC - Tips for senior drivers - Information about Driver's Licensing in BC for seniors.
- Sparc BC - Parking Permit Program for people with mobility limitations.
- Translink - Information about Public transit, schules and maps, Procing and Fare zones, Compass card, Handy Dart.
- Vancouver Blacktop Cabs - Cab service.
- Vancouver Yellow Cab - Cab service Vancouver.
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Finance Resources
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State of one’s finances and sources of income as they age. Resources to help make legal and financial decisions, financial planners, allowing someone else legal authority to manage one’s finances, etc.
- BC Government - Finance and Legal Matters - Information about Financial and Legal Issues for Seniors.
- BC Rent Bank - A rent bank is a housing stability and homelessness prevention resource that offers interest-free financial assistance, advice and a friendly face to help low-to-moderate income renters get through difficult times.
- Income Programs - Information about: CPP; Old Age Security & Guranteed income supplement; Survivors Allowance; BC income assistance for seniors not recieving Old Age Secruity.
- Legal Services Society (Legal Aid) - Provides information and legal aid services to people with low incomes by providing a range of legal information, advice, and representation services that help people resolve their legal problems.
- Property Tax Deferment Program - Tax deferment is a low interest loan program that helps qualified B.C. homeowners pay their annual property taxes on their principal residence.
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Social Resources
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Resources to help support one’s social life as they get older and contribute to general well-being and quality of life allowing seniors to live in security, enjoy good health and continue to participate fully in society.
- A Place for Mom Assisted Living - Simplifies the process of finding senior living and home care with personalized guidance at no cost to families.
- AssistList - Charitable organization in British Columbia that promotes public health by empowering our community to buy, sell, or donate health medical equipment.
- BC Bereavement Helpline - A non-profit, free, and confidential service that connects the public to grief support services within the province of BC.
- Benefits Wayfinder - Helps people on low and modest incomes find and track benefits they could get.
- Better at Home Program - Funded by the Ministry of Health and managed by the United Way of the Lower Mainland, it provides non-medical support services in many communities throughout the province, helping seniors age in place.
- Care.com - Offers services that enable families to find and manage care and provide employment opportunities for caregivers.
- Crisis Line Association of BC - For help with a mental health crisis.
- Family Services of Greater Vancouver - Offering over 50 programs, services, workshops and groups at 14 locations across the Lower Mainland.
- Living Through Loss Counselling Society of BC - Professional grief counselling related to life change or loss.
- MyGrief.ca - Online resource to help people work through their grief from the comfort of their own home, at their own pace.
- Office of the Seniors Advocate - Resource for seniors’ information and referrals.
- Parent Support Services Society - Protect the safety and wellbeing of children and promote the health of all families in all their diversity in British Columbia by partnering with communities and those in a parenting role, providing support, advocacy, education, research, and resources.
- Seniors Abuse and Infromation Line (SAIL) - A safe place for older adults, and those who care about them to talk to a trained intake worker about abuse or mistreatment, receive information and support about issues that impact the health and well being of an older adult.
- Seniors BC - Information on services and programs for seniors offered by the British Columbia and federal governments and non-profit organizations, as well as information on health, finances, benefits, housing, transportation, tips for healthy living and more.
- Seniors First BC - A charitable, non profit society that provides infromation, advocacy, emotional support and referrals to older adults across BC who are dealing with issues affecting their well-being or rights. In addition, assist those concerned about the welfare of an older adult.
- TELUS Mobility for Good - Provides low-income seniors receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) access to a free smartphone and subsidized mobility rate plan.
- Vancouver Couple & Family Institute (VCFI) - Help you reconnect with your loved ones with a supportive approach, and help explore feelings about yourself, your family, and your work.
- Vancouver Public Library - Family Services - Resources and services for family-related needs in Vancouver.
- Volunteer BC - A provincial organization that promotes the impact and value of volunteerism in B.C.
- Vancouver Hospice Society - Provides virtual bereavement support groups for those who have lost a loved one due to, or during, COVID-19.