Office of the Seniors Advocate
6th Floor, 1405 Douglas Street V8W 2G2 Victoria, BC, Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated social isolation and loneliness among people with dementia. In a one-hour webinar, Research ready: Technology in Dementia Research During COVID, delivered by the Alzheimer Society of B.C. presenter, Dr. Lillian Hung, will speak about how technology can be used to support social connection and reduce loneliness among people with dementia. She will share recent research evidence and future possibilities of using robotics to assist virtua...l care in long term care. Dr. Lillian Hung, is a professor of Nursing at UBC and Clinical Scientist at Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. You can attend the presentation by phone, computer or tablet. WHAT Technology in dementia research during COVID-19 with Dr. Lillian Hung WHEN: Wednesday, January 20, 2 p.m. (60 minutes) REGISTERATION: https://bit.ly/394G48B #Seniors #SeniorsBC #SeniorsAdvocateBC #AlzheimersAwarenessMonth #DementiaFriendlyFuture

Many low-income seniors don’t realize they may be eligible for the B.C. Recovery Benefit. Please help us get the word out. If you are an organization that works with seniors, please use your newsletters, visiting services and other ways you connect with seniors to let them know about this one-time benefit. The BC Recovery Benefit is a tax-free payment of up to $500 for eligible individuals. You must apply to receive the benefit. You have until June 30, 2021, to apply. ... LEARN MORE: http://bit.ly/38cSivE

Last week, the B.C. Minister of Health announced on Twitter: We have developed new guidance to clarify essential and social visitation in long term care and assisted living. LEARN MORE: https://bit.ly/3nyZYy4

If you are a low-income senior, age 60+, and you are renting in the private market you may be eligible for a rent supplement through the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program. SAFER was created to help make rents affordable for seniors with low to moderate incomes. The program provides eligible BC seniors, age 60 and older, with monthly cash payments to subsidize rents for their homes.... Go to the BC Housing website to find out if you are eligible and how to apply. LEARN MORE: http://bit.ly/2JRjDeK

Effective immediately! Homeowners in municipalities will NO LONGER apply for the homeowner grant through their municipal office. Everyone must now apply directly to the province using a new online system that is easy to use. ... The new system helps ensure homeowners receive their full grant entitlement, including the additional grant for seniors or persons with a disability. It also helps process applications faster. If you’re unable to apply online, call 1-888-355-2700 for assistance. LEARN MORE: http://bit.ly/3npBsiL #Seniors #SeniorsBC #SeniorsAdvocateBC

Are you living with dementia or have a friend, family member or patient who is? If yes, you may want to attend the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Coping With Change webinar. During the presentation, you’ll learn strategies to cope with the change, loss and uncertainty of the dementia experience.... You can attend the presentation by phone, computer or tablet. WHEN: Wednesday, January 13, 2 p.m. (60 minutes) REGISTRATION: https://bit.ly/38geSVw #Seniors #SeniorsBC #SeniorsAdvocateBC #AlzheimersAwarenessMonth #DementiaFriendlyFuture

B.C.’s public health system will administer COVID-19 vaccines as they become available and information about mass immunization will become available at the end of January. Currently, the vaccine distribution strategy is focused on protecting those most vulnerable to severe illness first. The first groups to get vaccinated between December and February are:... -Residents, staff, and essential visitors to long-term care and assisted-living residences -Individuals in hospitals or the community awaiting a long-term care placement -Paramedics and health care workers providing care for COVID-19 patients in settings like intensive care units, emergency departments, medical/surgical units and ambulances -Remote and isolated Indigenous communities From February to March, the immunization program will expand to include community-based seniors, age 80 and above, Indigenous elders and Indigenous seniors, age 65 and above. LEARN MORE: https://bit.ly/2Xal2zZ #Seniors #SeniorsBC #SeniorsAdvocateBC #COVID #COVIDBC

Braille Literacy Canada is commemorating World Braille Day with a new initiative: A Braille Zoomers Group. The new initiative will provide peer-support, information and resources to adults, including seniors, with sight loss. The group will provide peer-support and mentorship, share tips, resources and experiences related to learning braille in adulthood. The group welcomes braille learners and anyone using Braille. The United Nations World Braille Day commemorates the birth ...of Louis Braille whose system of tactile reading and writing brought literacy to those who are blind. LEARN MORE: CALL 1-877-861-4576 EMAIL [email protected] #Seniors #SeniorsBC #SeniorsAdvocateBC #Braille #BrailleDay #BrailleLiteracyCanada

Please share the message with the older adults in your life. Seniors urged to file taxes as thousands at risk of losing benefits https://bit.ly/2SWS6cP The returns are how the government determines eligibility and the value of payments like the GIS, which goes to low-income seniors. #seniors #GIS #incometax

About 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Early detection is an important factor in the success of breast cancer treatment. The earlier breast cancer is found, the more easily and successfully it can be treated. Talk to your doctor about screening options. LEARN MORE:... https://bit.ly/2SVt7qk #Seniors #BCSeniors #SeniorsBC #breastcancerawareness #breastcancer #cancer

Join this free webinar from Safecare BC and BC Care Providers Association to learn about protecting yourself and loved ones from the flu. Discussions include why seniors are at an increased risk for illness and dying related to influenza and more! Tuesday, October 13, 1-2 p.m. Registration... https://bit.ly/3iThr1x See more

Prepare for an earthquake by participating in the Great British Columbia ShakeOut happening across the province in homes, workplaces, schools, and public facilities. WHEN On October 15 at 10:15 a.m. ... WHAT DO I DO? Lock, Cover and Hold On while staying seated. IF YOU USE A WALKER -LOCK your wheels. -Sit on your walker if you can do this safely. -COVER, your head and neck with your arms, if you can do this safely. -HOLD ON while staying seated. IF YOU USE A WHEELCHAIR -LOCK your wheels. --COVER, your head and neck with your arms, if you can do this safely. -HOLD ON while staying seated. LEARN MORE: https://bit.ly/3iM7K5c #ShakeOut #Seniors #SeniorsBC #BCSeniors

The Office of the Seniors Advocate, BC, will be closed Monday, October 12. We wish you all the best and look forward to serving you on Tuesday. Remember, unless there is a holiday, you can call us Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for information and referrals. After hours, weekends and holiday your call will be connected to BC211. BC 211 is a non-profit organization that provides a free, confidential, multilingual service that links people to resources for help, where... and when they need it. LEARN MORE: http://www.bc211.ca/about/ #seniors #SeniorsBC

October 4-10 is Make A Will Week in B.C. Did you know legislation was introduced to enable courts to accept electronic wills and the remote witnessing of wills during the pandemic? LEARN MORE:... https://bit.ly/3iD3Z1U #MakeAWillWeek

Elections BC has Accessible voting for at-risk voters and voters with disabilities: These options include mail in ballots, curbside voting, assisted telephone voting, accommodations for voters who live in long-term care homes, help marking ballots, and resources for people who are sight-impaired. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2ZXNpmK

If during the pandemic you experience isolation, fear, and/or instability that makes it difficult to manage, there are is help. Find resources close to home. Call: 2-1-1 ... Web: http://www.bc211.ca/home

The Robert Lee YMCA (YMCA of Greater Vancouver) is helping seniors, and anyone else ALL ACROSS BC, get connected through technology. They have FREE workshops to help people get comfortable with technology and learn new skills. Their experienced facilitators can provide one-on-one instruction, or they can work with groups. Participants need:... -Internet/WiFi access -A smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer that also has a microphone and camera -Conversational English LEARN MORE OR REGISTER: T: 604-306-0508 E: [email protected]

COVID-19 has affected all of us and changed the way we work. The Office of the Seniors Advocate is no different. Isobel Mackenzie has always valued connecting with seniors where they live, but now she is having to make connections virtually. More than ever, Ms. Mackenzie wants to connect with seniors, seniors’ families, and people working with seniors across the province, and she is doing this through phone meetings and videoconferencing. If you have a group that would like t...o meet with Isobel, or you would like to have her deliver a presentation, please contact the office of the Seniors Advocate. T: 1-236-478-3582 E: [email protected] #Seniors #BCSeniors

B.C.’s Seniors Advocate Statement on International Day of Older Persons 2020 "For the past 30 years, we have been celebrating October 1st as the United Nations International Day of Older Persons. However, this year is an October 1st like no other, for the world at large, and, in particular, older adults." "Throughout the past seven months of sacrifice, uncertainty and tragedy, we have learned many things about each other and older adults. One of the most heartening lessons le...arned has been that we care; we care about each other, and we particularly care about older adults in our lives. So, let's pause during this most extraordinary of times to celebrate the seniors in our lives. Let's celebrate the resiliency of older adults who have shouldered the higher burden of illness with this pandemic. Let's celebrate the collective desire of everyone to make the future better for older adults. Let us celebrate that many of us came to recognize just how much we love and cherish the seniors in our lives when we found them under threat, a legacy that will forever enrich us and the lives of those around us." Isobel Mackenzie Seniors Advocate #OlderPersonsDay

Don't forget to watch the round table discussion on "How to Make Canada More Age-Inclusive" with CanAge, Minister of Seniors Deb Schulte and guests. Watch tomorrow morning at 8:30 PDT. Following the national event, regional events will take place and B.C.'s Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie will provide an address on her long-term care/visitor restrictions survey Staying Apart to Stay Safe. Please note that this event will be recorded and streamed live on Facebook: CanAge Should you be unable to participate in this webinar, a recording and resources will be available at www.canage.ca/webinars

Our survey, Staying Apart to Stay Safe, about the impact of visitor restrictions at assisted living and long term care homes, closes tonight at 11:59pm. We want to hear about your experience. Please visit http://carehomevisits.ca to complete the survey. #seniors #COVID19