The First Six MonthsApril - September 2014

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Who is The Advocate• Appointed Advocate March 2014

• Led BC’s largest not-for-profit delivering homecare, licensed dementia care, community services and assisted living

• Introduced a national best practice dementia care facility

• Served on these Boards:• BC Medical Services Commission• Canadian Home care Association• BC Care providers• BC Care Aide Registry 2

Origins of the Office• Increased attention: issues related to seniors• Ombudsperson reports – 2010-2012• Seniors Action Plan – February 2012• Office of the Seniors Advocate legislation –

February 2013• PSA recruitment for SA December 2013• Appointment March 2014

The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013

Responsibilities:

1. MONITOR: Provision of seniors’ services2. ANALYZE: Issues that the Advocate

believes are important to the welfare of seniors

3. ADVOCATE: In the interests of seniors4. INFORM & REPORT: To the public &

individuals4

The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013

Responsibilities:MONITOR – ANALYZE – ADVOCATE – REPORT:

Prescribed programs, services & support systems related to:– Healthcare– Personal Care– Housing– Transportation– Income Support

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The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013

Things The Advocate May Do:1. Identify & Analyze Systemic Challenges2. Collaboration to improve service effectiveness

and efficiency3. Promote awareness of systemic challenges and

resources available to seniors4. Make recommendations to Government & to

service providers5. Refer individual complaints appropriately

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The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013

Legislated Duty:1. Advise in an independent manner: The

Minister, public officials and service providers

2. Report to the Public: In any way deemed appropriate

3. Report Annually to the Minister

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The Advocates MandateSeniors Advocate Act 2013

Minister:1. Must make public all reports by the

Advocate as soon as reasonably practical

2. May ask the Seniors Advocate to undertake actions

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The First Six Months• Secured office Space – Victoria• Hired Key Staff• Provincial Listening Tour– 25+ communities– Vancouver Island - fall 2014

• Stakeholder Engagement Sessions– 40+ advocacy and service provider groups

• Analysis of Listening Tour and Consultations

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Office StaffBev Biffard – Executive Coordinator

Margaret Case Manager Communications

Bruce RonayneExecutive Director

Systemic Enquiry

Mark BlandfordDeputy Advocate

Susan KarimMasters Coop Student

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What We Have Been Told

• Housing – Multiple issues reported

• Seniors on lowest income levels have significant difficulties

• Fragmented services delivery system

• Dementia Care – community and residential

• Transportation

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Next Steps

1. Begin monitoring in 20152. Establish Council of Advisors3. Draft schedule of reports4. Ongoing community engagement “A

Conversation with the Seniors Advocate”

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Future Contact: October

Telephone Contact1-877-952-3181

Email: seniorsadvocate@gov.bc.ca

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